Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill to enable the immediate eviction of squatters by law enforcement.
According to an NBC Miami report, HB 621 creates strict criminal penalties for squatters offering false documents purporting to affirm tenant rights.
“The squatter scam ends today with my signature on this piece of legislation and the state of Florida will be better for it,” DeSantis said during the bill signing ceremony. “If you are the victim of squatting you can simply fill out a form, give it to your local sheriff and the sheriff is instructed to go and remove the people who are inhabiting your dwelling illegally.”
HB 621 was overwhelmingly passed by the Florida legislature following news reports of increased cases of squatters taking over the properties of homeowners who could only evict them through lengthy and expensive legal action. The bill goes into effect on July 1.
Photo: Gage Skidmore / Flickr Creative Commons
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