Evicting Squatters
 

There is a bill in the state legislature that, if passed, will make it easier to evict squatters.

Florida bill aims to close key squatting loophole after homeowner terrorized for 34 days, $40,000 in damages

Does anyone know if that has ever been a problem in the Villages?

There has been few news reports squatting in villages. But, by articles wasn’t problem removing them way I understood it?

Relevance?

Don't know! Haven't seen the bill yet.

Many homes in the Villages sit empty for months while the owners have returned to their northern homes. I have not heard of squatters breaking into these homes. Community Watch does a good job of keeping strangers away.

Exactly, oringal poster has 1300 posts, been on TOTV for 2 years, I would bet the term “squatter” has been mentioned 0 times on TOTV.

Not sure.

Post is a good way to plant seeds of no good deeds that can become attractive flowers when snowbirds leave.

Purhaps post should die on the vine.

If you, Google “squatters in the villages” you will see that it has happened before.

If you never have had or will have a problem with squatters, it is not relevant to you. If you have had or will have a problem, the bill is relevant to you.

As far as I can tell, squatters are an increasing problem in Florida.

How
 

How would squatters even reside in a home. If I left for a long cruise and came back to someone in my house, I would shoot first and ask questions later. My home and the uninvited guest would be at odds and a pink mist would soon be seen.

Oh My!
You may wish to temper your fury. While I'm with you in spirit, I would predict a long and ugly series of lawsuits, criminal and civil, that would enrich lawyers and family members of the squatters. As to your fate, you could end up as a guest of the state for a long, long time.

Squatters
 

I was thinking the exact same thing…I.Don’t.Play.

Another perspective of "squatters"
 

Squatters also applies to tenants who have legally rented, but then refuse to vacant the property. This could happen in cases of non-payment of rent or end of lease arrangements. In some States the laws governing the rights of tenants can make it legally difficult and tedious for homeowner to evict.

Like it or not, another perspective of defining squatters....

I seriously doubt that this would ever be a significant problem in The Villages. The reason is simple. If media got its hands on it, it is bad publicity. Bad publicity could impact sales of new homes. I doubt the developer would ever allow something to interfere with the goose that is laying all those golden eggs.

Years ago there was a story of a house that had a "shoot first, ask questions later" sticker in the window. Unfortunately that person did have a home intrusion and shot the perp. Well guess what, they went to jail. The sticker was used as evidence that the home owner had premeditated shooting and wasn't necessarily in fear for his life.

My point in this, if you plan to shoot first and ask questions later it isn't a good idea to post it on the internet.

If you ever have a squatter, it is a nightmare!!

Florida Squatter Law : An Ultimate Guide

My take, you walk into your home and an intruder is there… self-defense, no doubt in my mind.

This is how lawyers write laws with intent of lawyers making money. Remember is’s ALWAYS about money.

You make a good point about the developer having "skin" in the game. Yet, I know that I see very few police cars. I see speeding by cars AND golf carts on the residential streets. Golf carts with their speed controls messed with are MUCH noisier than those with unaltered controls. So, basically there is UNNECESSARY speeding and noise and no one is doing anything to stop the situation. Based on those observations, I would think that squatters either ARE or could be a PROBLEM.

It is difficult the 1st time you shoot (take the life) of a rabbit or a pheasant. Killing a human being would be VERY difficult MENTALLY for most people in ANY circumstance. That is why the Military uses a firing SQUAD - NOT a firing INDIVIDUAL.

It’s not necessary to actually kill someone, we are not the mafia, but to keep the intruders there for the authorities. It is possible they made a simple mistake entering your home. Still, for example for a single female, she could not be sure the intruders were not there for some clandestine purpose (rape comes to mind) and it could be too late if she did not take preventative action.

I tend to agree with your "take", but in today's world, our take may not be the same for the court system.

Are you saying that the developer has powers beyond those of law enforcement?

How does one "mistakenly" enter a locked home?????

Maybe I'll "mistakenly" leave a mean Rottweiler there to greet them, or "mistakenly" place a Claymore mine.

1st of all, you have a right to feel safe in your own home. I just wanted to remind people that killing anything or wounding them involves mental anguish. That is why I would recommend a shotgun for home self defense. Unless someone is an expert pistol shot their hands will tremble and aim would be difficult. With a shot gun there is less trembling because of the placement of the 2 hands and also the shot spreads out and is less likely to go through walls and unintentionally hit a child or someone in another room - versus a bullet from a pistol. Another positive with a shotgun is that it looks more INTIMIDATING. Also a pistol takes practice and a shotgun really does NOT.
.......There are also LEGALITIES to think about. Of which I have zero expertise.

very, very rarely.

Why not an AR-15, that seems to be the norm for killing civilians? Your post is disgusting.

One lawyer told my friend and property owner that he should pay the squatters to leave. They had not paid rent for several months.

What does this mean about a AR? Nothing disgusting about the post. Although I tend to agree an AR is better for folks that don’t shoot much. Very little recoil compared to a shotgun.

As far as gun crime they are mostly committed with handguns not ARs.

The last four words of this post should be read repeatedly.

I re-read my post and did not find anything "disgusting". I just tried to be informative. And (just for realities sake) there are likely MANY homes in The Villages with AR-15s. But, like I said, I would recommend a 20 gauge shotgun over an AR-15 because a shotgun is DEFENSIVE and an AR-15 is an OFFENSIVE weapon best suited for WAR, not home DEFENSE.

I agree with the post. And it is VERY true that there is less recoil with an AR-15 due to the small .22 inch diameter bullet (low weight, but high velocity). Much better choice for an average homeowner than a 30-06 big game rifle (more recoil). Personally, I would still stick with a shotgun because in a REAL life-threatening home invasion - the home owners adrenaline would be SO HIGH that they would NOT feel the RECOIL (like you would if you were shooting at clay pigeons using a whole box of shells or more).
.........A person can buy 20 gauge shells that are lightly loaded. Also a .410 gauge shotgun would kick even less.

Describing the best device, with details, on how to kill a person is disgusting. And is not usually what one reads on TOTV.

I too wish that we lived in a world where there was NO need for war, military armies, or a Police force. Even if that day comes, it will be in a future that we won't see. The US has the most guns per person in the world. And many are the military-style semi-automatic rifles. Personally, if I were in charge of the US, I would allow only single-shot pistols, rifles, and shotguns - which would fulfill the needs of hunters and for home defense. Unfortunately, the US is WAY past ANY moderation in gun ownership.
......Many people in The Villages and everywhere in the US believe that the Police can NOT get to their home quickly enough to prevent a serious crime. So, they look to defend themselves. That situation is BOTH disgusting and real.

It’s ridiculous that they even have to pass this bill! My house, I own it, you don’t belong there & the cop should throw them out immediately.
If they don’t, I will, unfortunately result to other measures. I was in fear of my life.😉

Okay you've convinced me. I have to buy another gun. I'll let the wife know. :D.

Might need a bigger safe too.

Describing in detail how to stop someone that is trying to kill you. That's what we are doing. Legal gun owners know the horrific effects of having to shoot someone and we pray to God that it never ever happens. But if we are to defend ourselves, it's best to have the proper info on how to do it.

/////

This thread appears to have gone off track.

Yep! Need to keep that gun that you bought for protection if there is a home invasion nloaded and in a locked safe. Gun is useless unless you sleep with it!
Loaded! Safety off! Cocked!

Sorry honey, not tonight. You're scaring me!