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May 6, 2023 | 11:58 a.m
Florida’s landlord Sam was alerted to the existence of a little-known Florida statute that allows for the removal of squatters. Fox News/Sam
A Florida real estate investor doesn’t do squats.
He’s discovered a little-known legal way to get rid of squatters and wants to help other landlords in the state avoid lengthy court cases by using an obscure Florida statute.
One landlord, who asked to be identified by just his first name, Sam, told Fox News he was made aware of a law that allows police to remove illegal occupants if the landlords sign an affidavit stating they are squatters .
He made the discovery after successfully lobbying a local TV station to cover his story in February.
“If ‘Help Me Howard’ hadn’t gotten through and I hadn’t found that law, I probably would still be dealing with the court system today,” Sam added, referring to consumer aid program WSVN 7 News that covered his story.
Sam’s North Miami home, which was listed for sale, sat vacant while he awaited approval to replace the roof. Squatters took over and threatened Sam when he confronted them.
“They started pushing us around, me and my workers, and yelling and yelling,” he said. “I have no idea who these people are and I realize that obviously these must be the squatters.”
When police arrived, a squatter produced a forged lease.
The police secure Sam’s home after he discovers a Florida law that allows them to help. Fox News/Sam
Police then told Sam he had to turn on the utilities and give them a house key until the issue was resolved in court.
But after contacting the WSVN program “Help Me Howard” and embarking on what he expected to be a lengthy legal process, Sam received a call from a police officer who told him that under a little-known Florida law, squatters with a signed affidavit as the squatter is a temporary intruder and not a former tenant.
The plan worked and the police helped Sam secure the house, although it wasn’t easy.
Damage in the shower at Sam’s house caused by squatters. Fox News/Sam
“She cursed me the whole time,” he said of one of the squatters. “As they walked past us, they screamed and cursed and she said, ‘I’ll find you,’ and other horrible things.”
Sam discovered that one of the squatters, Shaneria Josey, had faced nine evictions.
Sam contacted her previous landlord, who said Josey poured concrete down his property’s pipes after she was vacated but before she was out of the house.
The damage cost the landlord $150,000.
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