A man in Pennsylvania was forced to pay squatters invading his house after the police refused to intervene with the issue. He paid them thousands of dollars so that they would leave his residence, which he was planning to sell.
Although squatting is illegal in the United States, all U.S. states have squatters' rights (aka the adverse possession law). This is why it is important to protect the house you're not currently occupying.
If you own more than one residential place, here's what you need to know about the disappointing experience of a Pennsylvania homeowner.
Pennsylvania Man Pays Squatters to Leave His Home!
According to Fox News' latest report, Chris Harte asked for assistance from law enforcement authorities after he discovered that squatters invaded his house.
His issue with squatters began in December 2023, when he was processing to sell an investment property he renovated in northwest Philadelphia. However, on December 8, 2023, his real estate agent said that someone living near Harte's residence called him.
Real estate agent Bob Cervone said the woman told her that she heard a commotion at night and saw some people moving into the house. The neighbor even claimed that those unknown individuals took down the "for sale" sign.
Because of this, Harte called police officers, who went to the house. But, instead of making the squatters, they called him back and informed him that people had attempted to put new locks on the door.
They said that squatters claimed to be renting the house, leaving them no other option but to leave them alone. After that, Harte, his real estate agent and locksmith, decided to meet the police at his house.
"I had all my paperwork, purchase and sale agreement, homeowner's insurance, the deed to the home, everything on me. They said it didn't matter," said the homeowner.
Harte said that cops told him that people who invaded his house had squatters' rights as soon as they moved in. Because of this, they suggested filing a landlord-tenant complaint.
Pennsylvania Man Blames Squatters' Rights
Harte said that the court staff told him that he had to pay $300 to file for an eviction against the settlers, which could take almost a year.
This fee is not included in the $1,200 he had to pay a squatter just to leave his house. Because of this, he is now blaming squatters' rights for his negative experience.
"It's just unbelievable. The city is rewarding criminals, basically," he said.
The American Apartment Owners Association (AAOA) said that all 50 U.S. states have squatters' rights, which refer to laws that allow squatters to inhabit another person's property.
They will have these rights if the lawful owner doesn't evict or act against them. Squatters' rights will apply depending on the years required by the state.
For example, in Pennsylvania, squatters will have their squatters' rights if homeowners don't take action against them within 21 years. If you want to learn more about squatters' rights in the U.S., you can click this link.
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