How do you remove a squatter from a property in Philadelphia?

[Giles Pearce]

I am considering an investment property in the Philly area but it is being listed as squatter occupied. I don't have the full details of the situation e.g. how long they've been there, what action has been taken so far etc. I only know (or have been told) that the current owner has begun the ejection process in the last few weeks. 

Before deciding if it's worth the investment I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this before and what action/steps were taken? Assuming this is quite a long process to go through to have them removed? 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

[Joseph ODonovan]

@Giles Pearce A couple things here. A squatter who does not have a lease must be ejected from said property thru Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia County. This is different than an eviction which is handled in Landlord/Tenant Municipal Court in Philadelphia County. Very different procedures. The Covid19 hold on is for evictions only. So you can file to eject a squatter immediately. The downside is the cost to eject is higher and it takes roughly 6 - 12 months to get a squatter out, that is if the squatter is intent on not leaving. Some professional squatter know the system and know how to drag it out. As mentioned earlier, try cash for keys first, hopefully they bite. If not, this could get costly.