MIAMI.- Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida, ratified by signing the bill that authorizes the immediate eviction of illegal occupants of a home and safeguards the right of homeowners throughout the state, unlike what happens in the state. rest of the country.
“We are putting an end to the squatter scam in Florida,” the governor said before signing the Property Rights Act on March 27 in the city of Orlando.
“While other states side with squatters, we protect homeowners and punish criminals who seek to game the system.”
Under HB 621, a homeowner can ask local authorities to immediately remove a squatter if the squatter has trespassed and remains on the property, if the homeowner has ordered the squatter to leave the home and occupier refuses, and if he is not a real tenant and, therefore, lacks a contract.
under perjury
To facilitate the eviction of the occupant, the owner only has to fill out a form submitting a complete and verified complaint.
On the form, the eviction applicant must attest that he is the owner of the property or the person authorized by the owner to take care of it.
Under penalty of perjury, the landlord must promise that the occupants are not current or former tenants and that any lease they may show is fraudulent. In addition, the owner must acknowledge by signature that the people evicted from the property may file a lawsuit against him/her for any false statement that he/she has issued in the eviction complaint.
Eviction collection
The law even allows the sheriff's office – or local law enforcement authority – to charge an hourly rate if the property owner requests their presence “to keep the peace while the property owner or the owner's agent changes the locks and removes the personal property of the illegal occupants of the home.”
Furthermore, it releases the property owner from liability for the loss or destruction of the evictee's personal property unless it has been improperly removed.
More robust sanctions
The new rule that will come into force on July 1, establishes severe sanctions for those who participate in the occupation and for those who promote it. Considers it a first-degree misdemeanor to write a false statement for the purpose of conveying ownership.
Unlawfully occupying or trespassing in a dwelling with the intent to intentionally cause $1,000 or more in damage is considered a second-degree felony. It will also be a first degree felony to knowingly advertise the sale or rental of residential property without proper authorization or without being the legal owner.
Furthermore, those who engage in deceptive practices to gain unauthorized access to residential properties may face legal consequences.
Florida vs Squatters
“Florida once again leads the nation, this time protecting our state against squatters,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody.
“Biden has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to cross the border. “After video evidence emerged of their plan to seize homes, we have ensured that Floridians are protected from this egregious and brazen plan,” the prosecutor said without elaborating and thanked the governor for signing the law. ”
Last March, a video went viral on social media in which a migrant urged people to invade abandoned houses in the United States, under a supposed law that allowed them to do so. “The law says that we can come and repair abandoned, deteriorated houses that are in poor condition, live in them, and if we can, sell them,” the young man said from New York, setting off all the alarms on the networks.
Well, in Florida, HB-621 simplifies the eviction process for squatters and imposes strong penalties for squatting in order to protect property rights and ensure a safer environment.
@menendezpryce
