Published by REALTOR.com | May 29, 2025
It's important to maintain your rental even when you don't have tenants
While there are no federal laws in place, squatting is a form of trespassing, which is considered illegal. Each state has its own specific laws regarding squatters.
For instance, in Texas, squatting is illegal, and trespassers can be quickly evicted with a court order.
In Florida, Gov. Ron Desantis recently passed a squatting law that took things a step further, allowing law enforcement to remove squatters directly without a court order.
Although squatting is illegal in California, squatters can obtain rights under adverse possession, which means they may claim to own property because they’ve occupied it for a long time. In the Golden State, “a long time” means 5 years.
Interestingly enough, the squatting laws in Oregon allow people to claim adverse possession if they occupy a property openly, continuously, and exclusively for 10 years. Furthermore, they don’t have to pay property taxes to do so.
How to prevent squatters in your rental
By being proactive, you can reduce the risk of squatters and protect your property (and yourself).
“As soon as you list a home for sale or lease, invest in cameras and security systems,” says David Metzger, attorney at Williams Teusink, a real estate firm in Atlanta. The sooner you’re alerted of an intruder, the faster you can involve the authorities.
Additionally, don’t allow potential tenants or buyers to access your property without a real estate agent present. While self-guided virtual tours are trendy, letting strangers into your space is ill-advised.
To that end, Metzger recommends that you keep your neighbors informed about what you are doing with the home and ensure they have your contact information.
“Ask them to let you know immediately if they see anything suspicious,” advises Metzger.
Finally, a well-maintained property can quickly deter squatters. Mow the grass, tend to the walkways and, though it might seem counterintuitive, keep the utilities running. In short, make the house looked “lived in” even when it’s not.
