Something strange in the neighborhood--who you gonna call?
Mar 26, 2024 6:34:49 GMT
The Herald Erjen, shadrack, and 1 more like this
Post by primethefirst on Mar 26, 2024 6:34:49 GMT
Squatter Squad!
Californians Take Squatting Crisis Into Their Own Hands
A group of Californians has taken the squatting crisis in the state into their own hands and created a business in which you can hire someone to get rid of illegal tenants on your property.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several states updated their rules to allow renters more leniency if they were unable to make their monthly payments. However, in states like California and Washington, this has given rise to unforeseen problems in which squatters stay on property they don't own permanently, and the homeowners lose thousands of dollars in the process.
Lando Thomas, one of the business owners behind Southern California-based Squatter Squad, has been removing squatters since 2018. In 2023, though, he decided to team up with a few others and start a branded company all about removing unruly and illegal tenants from homeowners' properties.
"Because squatting seems to be on the rise, the courts are backed up from months to years, police can't or won't help, property owners feel helpless and are told taking the squatters to court is the only path to getting their property back," Thomas told Newsweek. "Even the neighbors can be victims because where there's squatters, there's usually bad activities going on such as drug dealing and other crimes."
Many homeowners are intimidated by the squatters staying on their property, and trying to legally evict someone can end with a squatter coming right back to the property, whether it's a house or RV, Thomas said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, several states updated their rules to allow renters more leniency if they were unable to make their monthly payments. However, in states like California and Washington, this has given rise to unforeseen problems in which squatters stay on property they don't own permanently, and the homeowners lose thousands of dollars in the process.
Lando Thomas, one of the business owners behind Southern California-based Squatter Squad, has been removing squatters since 2018. In 2023, though, he decided to team up with a few others and start a branded company all about removing unruly and illegal tenants from homeowners' properties.
"Because squatting seems to be on the rise, the courts are backed up from months to years, police can't or won't help, property owners feel helpless and are told taking the squatters to court is the only path to getting their property back," Thomas told Newsweek. "Even the neighbors can be victims because where there's squatters, there's usually bad activities going on such as drug dealing and other crimes."
Many homeowners are intimidated by the squatters staying on their property, and trying to legally evict someone can end with a squatter coming right back to the property, whether it's a house or RV, Thomas said.
