Thousands of homes across America are being invaded by squatters, who move in and legally live rent-free — and amazingly there’s no easy way for homeowners or the police to evict them.
In Atlanta, the problem is so bad some residents are too afraid to leave for a vacation, for fear of returning to an unwanted visitor or even finding their home converted into an ad hoc strip club.
However, squatting isn’t as simple as turning up to someone’s home and pushing your way in.
This has led to a host of internet forums and dark web pages devoted to the subject offering a fascinating “dummies guide” to getting into someone else’s house and establishing a right to be there.
“I don’t know if you know this, but we have a housing crisis in this country,” a prolific poster told The Post anonymously. “And it’s only getting worse. People are going to do what they have to do. You can’t stop it.”
Here are some of the tips sneaky squatters share, for homeowners and vigilant citizens to look out for:
One occupation artist said they place a for sale/rent sign on a property with a phone number attached to a burner cellphone. If there’s no response, then the home is unmonitored and prime for possession.
Many squatters wade through real estate listing sites like Zillow or Trulia to look for homes that have been on the market for extended periods without any activity and then peruse them in person.
One squatter suggested placing an orange cone in the driveway of the home and coming back a week later to see if it’s been moved.
Other sneaky tactics include researching the owner’s name and contact information online or in local municipal offices and calling them to report a squatter to assess the response.
Others go as far as to contact the local sheriff to gauge their vigor in responding to a complaint about the home.
While targeting badly dilapidated properties seems tempting, seasoned squatters advise against it. They reason that neighbors who’ve watched them rot over the years will clearly note a sudden presence and assume illegitimacy.
If it has, someone is regularly checking on the house and it should be disregarded. If not, it could be ripe for surreptitious settlement.
Squatters select homes based on their goals — longevity of stay or quality of life.
A handful of mansion takeovers — including in Beverly Hills near LeBron James’ home and a $2 million home in Queens, New York — have dominated the news in recent months, but these are rare due to the scrutiny lush spreads inevitably attract.
While swimming pools and tennis courts have their short-term allure, squatters concede deed holders, sheriffs, or media will eventually rap on the door and force a high-profile exit.
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One experienced squatter set a value limit of $500,000 for viable targets.
Homes far removed from prying neighbors are the squatting gold standard, but delicate interactions with locals are often unavoidable.
Some preach a hermit-like existence to conceal one’s presence, while others advise acting like you own the place and engaging normally — just like you have a rental agreement.
The legal term for squatting is “adverse possession,” and rules allowing it are established in all 50 states. The exact rules differ from state to state, but in many, a squatter can make an ownership claim on a property if they’ve lived there openly for a certain period and satisfy other requirements.
If neighbor engagement is necessary, many squatters endorse a charm offensive and property maintenance to minimize friction.
When a blighted home shows signs of improvement, some residents hoping for improved local property values might turn a blind eye even if they suspect something untoward.
Utilities — or lack thereof — are another squatting flashpoint. Some occupiers manage to get their lights and gas activated with fake leases, while others prefer to remain in the literal shadows without the benefit of electricity.
One poster wrote that he dealt with a lack of plumbing in a long-term squat by repurposing a bathroom as a “compost toilet” that breaks down waste biologically, usually with sawdust or peat moss in a makeshift commode.
Other threads debate the ethics of gratis living, with some asserting that corporate-owned investment properties that sit vacant for years are fair game and don’t present a moral dilemma.
Some squatters rail against those who infiltrate properties owned by more vulnerable groups, including seniors and other working-class types who’ve managed to secure rental homes to supplement their income.
“The number of people in this country who are facing homelessness is going in one direction,” a Reddit poster said, noting that the recent migrant influx will only fuel the trend.
“You think squatting is an issue right now? Just wait.”