1070: Squatters | Skeptical Sunday

4 snips

Oct 27, 2024

Nick Pell, a squatting expert, uncovers the nuances of squatting and its legal complexities. He addresses the media's portrayal of squatters, revealing that many cases are civil matters rather than criminal ones. Pell discusses the alarming rise in housing costs versus stagnant wages, contributing to the squatting phenomenon. He emphasizes the importance of careful legal considerations in addressing squatting laws, ensuring they protect both property owners and vulnerable occupants. Proactive measures for property owners are also highlighted to prevent squatting situations.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Squatter Prevention

Secure your rental properties when vacant.
Consider cash for keys as a faster, albeit frustrating, solution.

INSIGHT

Squatter Tactics

Squatters often create a semblance of legitimacy to avoid immediate removal by police.
They may use fake leases and utility bills to complicate eviction.

ANECDOTE

Grocery Store Sign Squatter

A woman lived undetected in a grocery store sign in Michigan, demonstrating resourcefulness.
She had a remote job and set up a living space with amenities like a standing desk and coffee maker.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Scared of squatters taking your home? Nick Pell brings perspective to what the media tells us is a "growing crisis" on this week's Skeptical Sunday!

On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:

Squatting occurs when people occupy a property without legal right or permission, often in vacant homes or rental properties. While they may create fake leases or documentation to appear legitimate, they are distinct from legal tenants who have stopped paying rent or are being evicted.
Most squatting cases become complex civil matters rather than criminal ones because squatters often create fake leases and establish utility bills in their names, making it difficult for police to immediately remove them.
The current housing situation contributes to squatting — average rent has increased 13.7% year over year since 1980, while wages have only grown 0.2% year over year since the early 1970s, making housing increasingly unaffordable for many.
Changes to squatting laws need careful consideration, as overly strict laws could potentially be weaponized against legitimate occupants (such as domestic abuse victims) or lead to frivolous claims against legitimate tenants.
Property owners can protect themselves by regularly checking on their properties, maintaining good documentation of ownership and occupancy, and quickly establishing a paper trail with authorities if issues arise. Being proactive rather than reactive is the best defense against potential squatting situations.
Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at jordan@jordanharbinger.com and let him know!

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1070

If you love listening to this show as much as we love making it, would you please peruse and reply to our Membership Survey here?

And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: jordanharbinger.com/deals

Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!

Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter...

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.