AZ doesn't play that . . . the Sheriff will go down and remove them . . . we have not had any stories of squatters who thought they could play the system. Our system favors landlords and legit property owners!

I can't speak to ALL other states, but doing property management in CA for a couple years, I know there are professionals who can play their system for YEARS! 

Good grief I've been hearing these squatter nightmare stories recently and can't believe it.  It's nuts.  My very first years in business my broker gave me 2 listings that I needed to get the people out before we could list them. Both of them had been caught up in the S & L scandal and had not made even ONE house payment in years.  The sheriff and his officers came with movers and made sure they were out.  Locks were changed etc.  I've never run into another one since.  Both homes were lovely homes in upscale neighborhoods.  Political scandal back then (sound familiar) - one was a elected official.  Quite the experience for a newbie agent back then.

Clearly each state is different. In IL, the tenant is given many privileges before getting thrown out. Yes it takes too long.

Sometimes the tenants have manipulated paperwork that confuses the police & most times (my experience) they won't act on it.

California: Liberals.

Another reason I don't do property management or rentals of any kind. Dealt with a few tenants early on in my listings here and there, and there was always a problem.  Like setting up showing times and eventually getting them out.  

My friend just had a situation with a squatter in their vacation property in Maine. Law enforcement removed them

I live and work in California. 

Do I really need to say anything else, Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

This issue is making me think!

How about all those homeless people within city limits. Couldn't those type of  Squatters make a claim.

Personally I believe Squatters don't really want the property, because they would have to start paying the property taxes - LOL...

In my county here in CA (and I presume a bunch of other counties as well) and "Unlawful Detainer" action goes on a "Rocket Docket" with the courts, and it make for a seemingly quick process to get the order to have the sheriff remove them if necessary.

The problem with other States?  The governments in those other states....!!!!! Here in NY the "tenant" is favored over the owner/landlord.  It's sad on many levels. 

In liberal states, the process favors the squatter and the attorney's that represent them. If the attorney does well he/she can become a liberal judge. And the swamp grows!

California landlord tenant law is complex and favors the tenants. Any false moves made by the owner opens up litigation issues. Then, there is legal aid who provides a free legal service for tenants against landlords and lastly the ACLU and other pro-tenant services including bankruptcy ploy companies that drag out the tenancy for a fee. As far as police helping, they can make a judgement call however why should they stick their necks out in today's anti-cop environment? More often than not, they claim it is the landlord's problem. Their pat response is you have a civil action and seek law remedy (months or even years) & until then, leave tenant alone. When we take a liberal, biased approach to real problems, law-abiding citizens usually suffer the most. With all Real Estate there is risk of some sort but rental property remains more exposed.

Creative ways to move the tenant who heck no, I don't want to go. Cash for keys... often no money to make the leap so a few hundred to grease the skids helps. Cheaper to help them along than 9 month eviction with court house steps and a guy or gal waving a gavel, wearing a black robe. Had one fellow use a chainsaw to evict bad tenants. 

Hi Fred... have not personally encountered this problem so I have no solution.

The question from Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate is about squatters and not bad tenants.

We have had homeless squatters in our vacant listings from time to time. On one occasion, we moved their stuff out and changed the locks. They broke back in. That made it a breaking and entry problem and the police escorted them out for good.

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

Hi Fred,

I must be in the minority here...have done both property management and rentals but never had to deal with squatters or an eviction. Part of the reason might be the precautions that I take...I install a portable security system on vacant listings so if someone tried to break in and live there, I would be alerted immediately. Rental applicants are thoroughly vetted before leasing and there are certain things that are done to ensure they are in compliance with the lease terms.

There is a lot of money to be made in both rentals and property management and with the right systems in place, the risk of squatters and evictions can be greatly reduced or eliminated.

I don't hear of "removal" as being an issue here in NC like you do in other states. I hope it stays that way as many people bought investment properties over the past few years. 

I have a friend who had an issue with someone and the person was arrested. After a hurricane, she had a remediation company doing some work at her beach house. One of the workers unlocked a window and crawled in after hours on a weekend. This person and a couple family members stayed there. They made a mess of the place in a short amount of time. Fortunately, my friend had a security camera and was able to get the police out there. The two family members were in the wind but the one person was arrested. I don't know that this person was considered a squatter but I imagine that's what would happen if someone tried to be a squatter.

So, have security cameras if you have a vacant rental property and call the police for unlawful activity. 

Following the nationwide stories. I participated in a local mastermind on the subject matter. One strategy that came up is installing a security system with cameras with smartphone app instant alerts on vacant properties that may be susceptible the moment someone steps on the property. Provides an alarm and video recording used as evidence for instant police removal and charges as a break-in. 

For $400 you can have a system that can do all that - easy to self-install. Sure cheaper than hosting and trying to evict the perps, and fixing any property damage.

I got one installed on a client property as we speak and you can't take a simple step in the driveway unless it triggers an instant alert that shows up on my smartphone and smartwatch. You can even talk through the cameras, telling the perps to remove themselves, even manually trigger a loud exterior alarm. 

I wanted to add 'laser rays' and drone smart bombs to the system, but that's not yet available.

Out local sheriff's office arrested some for trespass. It was a bank owned property.

In the last market downturn, there were some squatters in vacant listings. I walked into one bank-owned listing, where someone had taken a bale of hay and was using it as a bed in the basement. All personal items were lying on the floor next to it. I reported the scene to the listing agent. Haven't heard that it is an ongoing problem but with the borders being open, it could very well could become one.

I get a fair amount of squatters in the vacant REO assignments I get. One was really difficult as even after the sherifs removed him he would break back in once I left. Even after calling the cops and him being arrested for trespassing numerous times. I finally rented to a friend(a big guy) for really cheap rent just to keep the squatter away.

A realtor offered cash and moving expense to get CA renter out as she has sold her rental home.  The tenants who just bought 2 new cars mentioned they had hardship.  That was 3 years ago. You have not paid rent since I put the house on the market. You are a squatter!   You call me what?  Now the tenants want to sue landlady.  

Don't leave property vacant. Get a security person in place. Get a guard dog in place. Lock it up. Motion lights. Check daily. Prevention is the best answer.