(PatriotSpotlight.org) – In a bid to tackle the increasing issue of squatters, including those who have entered the country illegally, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has swiftly signed new laws aimed at tackling so-called “squatters rights” in his state. It comes as many Americans have expressed concerns over the invasion of property.
A slew of viral social media clips and news reports have brought the exploitation of “squatters’ rights” to the fore in recent weeks. These nicknamed “rights” are cited when people illegally reside in homes they do not legally rent or own, and subsequently exploit legal loopholes to deter their eviction from said premises. In one alarming such recent case in New York, a woman was murdered after confronting squatters who had entered her apartment. Citing the scale of this issue, Governor DeSantis released a video message vowing to implement tough actions to reduce the issue. Shortly following this video he stood true to his promise by signing the repeal of Florida’s “squatters’ rights” legislation.
The proactive decision has been praised for its efficiency and swiftness given how the issue has long been subject to complaints across the U.S. and other countries with similar rules. Critics have slammed authorities for ever allowing squatters access to rights to reside on property. They say that while such laws may have been rolled out with the aim of helping tenants avoid unfair evictions, they have long been abused and exploited by criminals. The broad scope of these so-called “rights” has led to chaos for rightful owners when criminals attempt to lay claim to their property.
Given that Florida has now taken firm action, critics of squatters rights hope that other states will take heed. However, the likelihood of similar recourse in Democrat states such as California and New York is uncertain, given their issues with homelessness and perceived punitiveness towards landlords. Others complain that the action could jeopardize squatters and tenants while favoring landlords. In a representative democratic republic like the U.S., governance is required to reflect the will of the people within the Constitution. Florida’s swift action marks firm action on the part of property owners and DeSantis’ response to his constituents’ concerns.
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