Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a monthly bill that he claims will “put an conclusion to the squatter scam” in Florida.
DeSantis signed Home Monthly bill 621, which enables a house operator to talk to law enforcement to clear away squatters from properties and generates penalties for all those who violate the legislation.
The law would not implement to previous or latest tenants involved in a authorized dispute with the landlord. The house owner has to have directed the squatter to go away the home in advance of calling the law enforcement, and the specific have to have unlawfully entered the house.
The attributes have to involve a residential dwelling device, so the law would not implement to vacant land, for illustration.
If another person falsely statements in writing to have home legal rights for the home, like getting a phony lease or deed, they could be charged with a very first-degree misdemeanor beneath HB 621. Those people who unlawfully occupy or trespass and trigger $1,000 or additional in damages will encounter 2nd-degree felony prices. And anyone who knowingly advertises a residential property for sale or lease without having the authority to do so will encounter a to start with-diploma felony demand.
Squatters will occasionally existing phony leases or deeds when they’re caught, delaying a prolonged court process so that assets proprietors can eventually have them evicted, attorneys say.
DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have been on a roll passing regulations impacting the genuine estate industry, the majority of which are pro-development. This 7 days, the governor signed Senate Invoice 1526, which helps make it a lot easier to demolish aging coastal qualities in the state.
He’s also predicted to indicator into regulation amendments to the Live Regional Act, legislation passed final yr that incentivizes builders to integrate workforce housing into their tasks, and makes it possible for builders to supersede community zoning and density laws.