How One Florida Landlord’s Fight Sparked Homeowner Protection?
DEBARYLIFE – Homeowner Patti Peeples of Florida was the victim of squatting right after receiving an offer for her property.
After the squatters were driven from Peeples’ property, it took 36 days and thousands of dollars to fix the damage they had caused.
Peeples experienced this around a year ago, but her tale as a squatter didn’t end there. Since squatting had an impact on her, she persisted in sharing her tale to raise awareness. The experiences of individuals influenced the passing of a Florida law that granted homeowners property rights and prevented squatters from obtaining them.
“I certainly would have never anticipated that my personal experience would have motivated a state law change and, in fact, movement around the United States, about criminal charges against squatters,” Peeples said in a phone interview with Fox News Digital.
“I’m amazed, surprised, and really, really encouraged that this particular case of mine showed me and I hope shows others that our legislatures can listen to everyday citizens and sometimes actually seek to efficiently make new laws to address common everyday problems.”
“The problem of squatting is widespread. Regretfully, no organization maintains track of squatting cases, therefore we are unsure of its true prevalence. However, we do know that many of the squatter tragedies are becoming visible to the public eye because of the diligent and excellent work of regional and national groups,” Peeples added.
Peeples noted that the public’s sharing of squatter narratives, such as her own, has made it possible for activists to influence policymakers.
Rep. Kevin Steele and Sen. Keith Perry reportedly reached out to Florida resident Peeples after seeing her story on Fox News, expressing a desire to collaborate and solve the issue.
“It’s a great example where my story generated local news interest, local news interest generated national news interest, and national coverage inspired state legislatures to act,” Peeples said on Fox News Digital.
That, in my opinion, is the proper way for things to operate in our nation. It proves the importance of having a free press. It proves that lawmakers can collaborate across party lines—in my case, specifically. Thus, I believe that this has produced many benefits that exceed squatting in particular and my case in particular.”
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Peeples was asked to testify before the House and Florida Senate committees when the Florida law was being considered.
According to Peeples’ description on Fox News Digital, she is a “researcher” who typically “deals specifically in facts” in her presentations.
She revealed that she had only one to three minutes to prepare her testimony and minimal time to speak. She considered what she wanted to say while driving to Tallahassee and decided that the best course of action was to just relate her tale to highlight the vulnerabilities and worries of politicians.
For a brief moment, picture yourself leaving your day of serving Florida’s inhabitants and heading back to your house. Strangers are sitting on your sofa, watching TV, and eating your food as you walk in, though. They tell you they have rented this house and show you a “lease” when you question them who they are and what they are doing. According to a document Peeples shared with Fox News Digital, during her testimony, she stated, “Bewildered, you call the police and explain the situation and note that you are the rightful homeowner, and you have not rented your property.”
“The police arrive, and the strangers present the officers with a document showing they’ve rented your home, but it was leased by someone you don’t know and the document isn’t even signed.”
“They won’t be arrested by the cops. They won’t be kicked off the property. They will kick you out of your own home and claim they have no authority over you. They are aware that the document is fake and that they are squatters. However, they are powerless in this circumstance. Additionally, Peeples said, “The only way you can keep your rights to your house is to use the civil court system to evict or eject them, which gives those squatters at least 20 days to establish their legitimacy.”
“Due to the backlog in civil court cases, they can live in your home without paying rent for an extended period. Either locate another location to stay or rent a hotel. Neither the water nor the electricity can be turned off. It is not possible to board up the windows or alter the locks. I experienced this situation while trying to sell a rental property.”
Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 621 on March 27, 2024, and it will become operative on July 1st, 2024. The measure strengthens penalties for squatting, defends homeowners’ rights, and gives them recourse against squatters.
“Squatters are not prejudiced. They are merely seeking somewhere to stay; you could take a weekend getaway and return home to discover squatters in your house. Thus, in Florida, that will no longer occur “explained Peeples.
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“In addition, the passage of this bill in the state of Florida has sparked the development of property rights or anti-squatter legislation in New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, and many other states.” Therefore, I believe it has served as an excellent model for other states to follow when it comes to legislating this specific subject in our country.”
Peeples clarified that despite their political differences, the senator and representative from Florida with whom she had numerous meetings could agree on the matter of squatting.
“During the beginning of our collaboration, our political affiliations were never discussed. It didn’t matter,” Peeples clarified. “The bill had unanimous support from both parties in Congress and easily passed both chambers. That is a very uncommon victory in today’s United States of America.”
Even though she is still raising awareness about squatting across the country, Peeples is not planning to initiate any more real estate projects in the wake of her ordeal. She still owns one rental property.
However, while my property was unoccupied, several squatters miraculously moved in next door, where they stayed for several days. Thus, squatting is still prevalent in my community. It is widespread throughout the US.”
Squatter damage to Patti Peeples’ house
Patti Peeples’ home sustained damage worth thousands of dollars due to squatters. (Patti Peeples)
“I still own one house in the real estate market, and I don’t plan to buy any more. I find investing in real estate these days to be a highly risky, challenging, and, to be honest, costly endeavor.”
Peeples revealed that one of the squatters who had taken over her house a year prior had “been arrested on charges of trespassing and criminal mischief.”
In court lately, Peeples was requesting damages in the amount of “substantial amount.”
“The judge rescheduled the arraignment for another month, I guess so that further evidence could be submitted because I appeared in court asking for damages. And I’m requesting damages in a sizeable sum to cover the expenses that homeowners failed to cover, including my legal bills, extra security measures, and a sizable loss of income,” Peeples stated.
“The day before the squatters broke in, I had received an offer on the house for the full value of what it was posted to be sold at, and, of course, I had to let that offer go while the squatters were in, and then it took me 36 days to get the squatters out and then another month or more to repair the damage.”
“I was then allowed to relist the house for sale. However, during those few months, the property market slightly declined, and as a result, the final offer I got was for a sizeable amount less than the initial offer made right before the squatters moved in. I’m requesting damages for that as well because it represents lost and potential money for me,” Peeples stated.
Peeples added that although she is not sure how the judge will decide, this is simply one of the many expenses she must pay.
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Apart from the considerable financial burden that squatters place on landowners, Peeples also brought attention to the emotional toll that squatters may cause, saying that she experienced anxiety and lost sleep.
“They assaulted me and threatened me,” she stated. “Since the squatters are aware of my address, I’m still concerned that they may harm my possessions, my pets, or even myself here in my own house. Thus, all of them are lingering psychological strains resulting from being in a sitting position.”
According to Peeples, it “troubles” her that property owners use force to evict squatters from their homes or enlist the aid of others to do so because the police are unable to stop them.
“I chose to try to work within the law,” she stated. “I think that’s the way that everyone should go, but if states don’t choose to change the law, then that’s going to be one of the only options available to people and that means violence will continue to occur.”