South Fulton, Georgia police recently put a stop to a group of squatters who had allegedly moved into a vacant home on Christmas Day the previous year. The police department arrived at the home on Caveat Court in large numbers, detaining six individuals and recovering a stolen vehicle. The homeowners’ association’s vice president, Kendra Snorton, claimed that the group had moved into the home, located in Hampton Oaks, on Christmas Day. The president of the HOA, Mel Keyton, revealed that individuals in the group had broken into another home in the subdivision, stolen a car, and returned to the vacant home they had been occupying for months.
Local residents expressed concern over the growing issue of squatters in their neighborhood, citing dangerous behavior such as breaking into houses, using amenities, and frequenting the area. Snorton and Keyton both expressed unease about not knowing who is living among them, highlighting the need for action to address this issue. South Fulton is located about 20 miles southwest of Atlanta, where squatters have become a prevalent problem. Last month, Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia signed a bill making squatting a crime in the state. The Georgia Squatter Reform Act allows property owners to pursue damages from squatters and speeds up the eviction process.
Following Georgia’s lead, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida signed a bill in March that eliminates squatters’ rights in the state. Real estate agents have reported instances of squatters causing significant damage to properties, such as selling appliances and leaving behind feces. Kesha Chedeaux, a real estate agent who has experienced issues with squatters in Atlanta, shared a harrowing account of the damage caused by individuals occupying homes illegally. Squatters have been known to engage in dangerous behavior when confronted with efforts to remove them from properties they have taken over without permission.
Governor Kemp emphasized the need to crack down on bad actors who exploit the process of squatting, causing harm to property owners and communities. The legislation signed by Kemp aims to stiffen penalties for squatters, expedite eviction procedures, and allow property owners to seek damages from those illegally occupying their properties. The bill is part of a broader effort to address the problem of squatters and protect property owners from the financial and emotional toll of dealing with individuals who disregard property rights. Residents in South Fulton and other areas affected by squatters hope that these new laws will help deter future incidents and hold accountable those who engage in illegal occupation of homes.
The issue of squatting has become a growing concern in communities across the United States, prompting lawmakers to take action to address the problem. Residents in neighborhoods affected by squatters have shared stories of vandalism, theft, and other criminal activities associated with illegal occupation of vacant properties. The passage of legislation in states like Georgia and Florida represents a step forward in addressing the issue of squatting, providing property owners with greater protections and tools to combat this problem. As lawmakers continue to prioritize the rights of property owners and the safety of communities, efforts to crack down on squatters are expected to intensify in the months and years ahead.
