ARIZONA NEWS

More squatters are taking over homes in Arizona neighborhoods this year, constable says

Oct 16, 2024, 8:51 AM

Squatters taking over more Arizona homes in 2024...

A Maricopa County constable said Arizona has seen a rise in squatters taking over homes over the past year. (Pexels File Photo)

(Pexels File Photo)

PHOENIX — Some snowbirds are returning to the Valley only to find strangers living in their homes, Maricopa County officials said.

Squatters see homes that are vacant in the summer as ripe for the taking, constable Scott Blake told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Wednesday.

Not only that, but many neighbors of these invaded homes are none the wiser, he added.

“In the last year, Arizona has seen a rise in squatters taking over homes in neighborhoods where you have people living on either side of the home that they’ve taken over,” Blake said.

It can happen more easily in metro Phoenix neighborhoods where homeowners aren’t connected to their communities.

“A lot of our neighbors don’t know who the other neighbor is, and that is an issue,” Blake said.

What should homeowners do if they find squatters in their residence?

Any winter visitors who discover strangers have taken over their roost should immediately call authorities.

“You’re going to call the local law enforcement agency and notify them,” Blake said. “Get them sent to that house so they can get to the bottom of it.”

However, it isn’t always this simple.

“In some cases, removing the squatters is not as simple as calling 911,” Blake said. “Squatters who live in a house illegally in Arizona, they may have rights.”

In what cases is it hard to remove strangers from your home?

Sometimes, squatters will claim they’re rightfully in the home. They’ll even show police documents and claim they own the residence.

This makes the process of regaining your home more complicated.

“If they produce a fake lease when confronted by law enforcement, that becomes a civil issue instead of a criminal issue,” Blake said. “That forces the homeowner then to do an eviction.”

These squatters may not even know they’re in the wrong. Scammers may have tricked them into signing a fake lease.

“It is possible that they don’t know, but in some cases, the lease is completely fabricated with the homeowner’s signature of there,” Blake said. “And it’s not even them that signed the document.”

How to keep squatters out of vacant homes

Luckily, there are various strategies homeowners can use to protect themselves.

“Don’t let your home look vacant,” Blake said.

For instance, be wary when putting up signs that indicate the residence is accepting renters.

“If your home is for rent, a sign is a great way to advertise that it’s available for rent,” Blake said. “But it also is a beacon for those who know that the house may be vacant.”

He also advised homeowners who rent the property or live elsewhere for part of the year to take advantage of security technology.

“Install an alarm system,” Blake said. “Install cameras inside and outside your home and invest in a doorbell camera.”

This way, homeowners will be able to receive alerts whenever there’s action around their residence. Even if they’re hundreds of miles away, they can open an app to watch footage of people prowling around their property.

“Install motion sensor lights outside the house, lights on timers that go off inside the house,” Blake said. “Lock your windows and your doors. Especially lock your garage door between the house and the garage.”

It’s also a good idea to get to know your neighbors, he added. This way, people will be able to alert you if they notice suspicious activity at your home.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Thomas Galvin AZ Political Podcast...

Jim Sharpe

AZ Political Podcast: Thomas Galvin on public funding for sports teams, speed of election results

On this week's edition of AZ Political Podcast, Thomas Galvin discusses public funding for sports teams and how election results can be sped up.

46 minutes ago

US 60 between Superior and Miami will be closed until Friday due to blasting work that was performe...

David Veenstra

US 60 between Superior, Miami reopens following blasting

US 60 between Superior and Miami has reopened following blasting work that was performed in the area.

2 hours ago

Maricopa County 1 of 4 pharmacists sentenced for fraud...

Serena O'Sullivan

Maricopa County pharmacist among 4 sentenced in fraud conspiracy

A Maricopa County pharmacist named Raef Hamaed was one of four pharmacists sentenced for their roles in a $13 million conspiracy, officials said.

3 hours ago

Super Bowl ad Tempe...

Amy Edelen/Phoenix Business Journal

Tempe solar energy startup to appear in Google AI Super Bowl ad

A Tempe-based solar energy startup is showcasing its technology in a Google Workspace TV commercial that will air during the Super Bowl.

4 hours ago

weekend traffic advisory feb. 7-10...

Kevin Stone

Latest Valley freeway advisory includes significant closures on I-10, I-17

The Valley freeway advisory for this weekend includes another major closure on Interstate 10.

5 hours ago

Antwaun Ware received a life sentence for killing Jasmine Dunbar in 2018....

Kevin Stone

Man who killed woman, left baby on side of West Valley road in 2018 gets life sentence

A man who killed his ex-girlfriend and abandoned her baby on the side of a West Valley road in 2018 was sentenced to life in prison.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

More squatters are taking over homes in Arizona neighborhoods this year, constable says