More squatters are taking over homes in Arizona neighborhoods this year, constable says
Oct 16, 2024, 8:51 AM
(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.