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Joe Rogan has weighed in on the percolating controversy surrounding the increase in squatter activity, stating that local laws designed to protect squatters’ rights were “basically allowing people to steal other people’s homes.”

In his Saturday show, the popular podcaster was joined by comedians Dave Attell and Ian Fidance, who discussed a recent case where a New York City homeowner was arrested after she changed the locks on her property to force squatters out of the premises. In the city, a squatter needs to be on the property for 30 days to claim tenancy rights, and homeowners can only evict them through court action.

“That is bananas,” exclaimed Rogan.

When Fidance cited how squatters have taken over more than 1,000 homes in Atlanta, Rogan responded, “A thousand is crazy. That means they know how to do it and they know the loophole — and you need to tighten that loophole up, you f–heads” – the latter expletive being addressed to lawmakers.

When Fidance added that squatters “know how to jack the system,” Rogan answered, “100%, especially criminals and fraudsters. They know that you have to pay them to get out, and that’s what a lot [of] homeowners do. Then the problem is then another person’s just going to jump in.”

Rogan also complained that homeowners who take the squatters to court need to wait “months and months” before they can get to trial. He also observed how squatters can create fake leases to obtain a utility record of their tenancy, and he noted how the presence of squatters would disrupt any effort by the homeowner to sell the property.

“It’s so crazy that in the name of protecting tenants — which is important, you don’t want a s–ty landlord, you want to protect tenants — but in the name of protecting tenants, you’re basically allowing people to steal people’s houses,” he said.

Screenshot of Joe Rogan courtesy of YouTube