Thousands of homes across the United States are being invaded by squatters who have moved in and are legally living rent-free — and surprisingly, there is no easy way for homeowners or police to evict them.
In Atlanta, the problem is so severe that some residents are afraid to go on vacation for fear of returning to unwelcome visitors, and have even found their homes turned into makeshift strip clubs.
However, squatting isn’t as simple as arriving at someone’s home and forcing your way in.
This has led to the emergence of a number of internet forums and dark web pages dedicated to the subject, offering fascinating “idiot’s guides” to help you get into someone else’s house and establish your rights there.
“I don’t know if you know this, but we have a housing crisis in this country,” one prolific poster told The Washington Post anonymously. “And it’s only going to get worse. People are going to do what they have to do. You can’t stop it.”
Here are some tips shared by squatters for homeowners and vigilant citizens to take note of:
One professional artist said they placed a For Sale/For Rent sign on a property with a phone number on a burner phone. If there is no response, the property is unmonitored and available for possession.
Many squatters wade through real estate listing sites like Zillow or Trulia, looking for homes that have been on the market for a long time without any activity and then take a closer look in person.
One squatter suggested placing an orange cone in his driveway and returning after a week to see if it had been moved.
Other sneaky tactics include researching the names and contact information of property owners online or at local municipal offices and calling them to report squatters to gauge the reaction.
Others have even contacted local sheriffs to see if they have the energy to respond to complaints about the homes.
While it may seem tempting to target severely dilapidated properties, experienced squatters advise against it. They reasoned that neighbors who had watched them rot for years would have clearly noticed their sudden appearance and believed them to be bastards.
If there is, it means someone is inspecting the home regularly and should be ignored. If not, the time may be ripe for a secret resolution.
Squatters choose their homes based on their goals – length of stay or quality of life.
Several luxury acquisitions in recent months — including a Beverly Hills home near LeBron James’s former home and a $2 million mansion in Queens, New York — have grabbed headlines, but the hefty price differentials inevitably led to Attracting close attention, these luxury acquisitions are rare.
While swimming pools and tennis courts have their short-term appeal, squatters acknowledge that covenant holders, sheriffs or the media will eventually knock on the door and force them to make a high-profile exit.
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One experienced squatter set a value cap of $500,000 for a feasible goal.
Homes away from prying neighbors are the gold standard for squatting, but subtle interactions with locals are often unavoidable.
Some preach a hermit-like existence to hide your presence, while others recommend acting like you own the place and participating normally – just like you have a lease agreement.
The legal term for squatting is “adverse possession,” and all 50 states have rules allowing it. The exact rules vary by state, but in many states squatters can lay claim to the property if they live openly for a period of time and meet other requirements.
If neighbor involvement is necessary, many squatters will support a charm offensive and property maintenance to minimize friction.
When dilapidated properties show signs of improvement, some residents who want local property values to increase may turn a blind eye even if they suspect something is amiss.
Utilities — or the lack thereof — are another potential flashpoint. Some residents managed to activate their lights and gas through fake leases, while others preferred to stay in real shadows without the benefit of electricity.
One poster wrote that he solved the lack of plumbing in his squat by converting his bathroom into a “composting toilet” that biologically breaks down waste, often adding sawdust or peat moss to the makeshift toilet.
Other posts discussed the ethics of living free, with some claiming that corporate-owned investment properties sitting vacant for years are fair game and do not pose an ethical dilemma.
Some squatters complain about those who infiltrate properties owned by more vulnerable groups, including the elderly and other working-class people who find ways to rent homes to supplement their incomes.
“The number of people facing homelessness in this country is heading in one direction,” said one Reddit poster, noting that the recent influx of immigrants will only exacerbate the trend.
“Do you think squatting is a problem now? Wait a minute.”