In California, the issue of Unauthorized Occupants, also known as “squatters”, living in someone else’s property has become a growing problem. This situation is made even more difficult by complicated legal rules and law enforcement policies. Squatting is considered trespassing under California Penal Code 602, but property owners often face challenges when trying to remove squatters. Even though trespassing is a criminal offense, in states with more liberal policies, disputes involving squatters are often treated as civil matters instead of criminal ones. As a result, law enforcement sometimes refuses to take action, following policies that prioritize civil lawsuits over criminal enforcement.
For property owners facing this predicament, the path to removing squatters is arduous and traditionally involved filing an unlawful detainer through civil courts. Unlike traditional landlord-tenant disputes where a rental agreement governs the relationship, removing squatters requires demonstrating illegal entry and possession without consent.
This harsh reality underscores the need for unique solutions to protect owners rights and expedite the removal of Unauthorized Occupants (UO) a.k.a “squatters” in California.