I have a Squatter in Florida

[Amie Perryman]

I have a tenant that broke his lease back in March but Covid restricted me from being able to evict. The minute the ban on evictions was lifted, I served him with a 3 day notice and demand as well as a breach of lease. He offered to pay in full and rent week to week. I WILL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN. He's paid weekly for months until Dec 1. Then he disappeared. I served him notice again and after 7 days (he was week to week) considered the property abandoned and went to inspect (again, after giving notice I was coming in - both on the door and via text/voicemail with NO response from him). I took the Sheriff with me just in case this was a welfare situation... covid crazy is a real thing.... and found a SQUATTER there, doing drugs and smoking up the joint!!!! Sheriff said he could not remove him - even tho this was clearly trespassing! I have NO IDEA who this guy is!!! But he claimed his 'friend' let him stay...but his FRIEND had been gone for weeks and the condo security had no record of him coming through the gate. They have a 24/7 gate guard and must possess a letter from ME to get a parking pass. I had not issued one since the last one expired Nov 30. How the hell did this guy even get IN???? And now I have to evict HIM???? Any body have any idea how I can get this resolved quickly???

[Braden C.]

@Amie Perryman Florida is actually pretty landlord friendly, especially compared to where you live :). Unfortunately, some unscrupulous landlords might take advantage and call legitimate tenants "squatters", therefor there are rights available to all people who take up residency in a structure. This of course makes dealing with a squatter very frustrating because because we want them out immediately! Since your previous tenant has abandoned the property and this new person is a complete stranger, with no lease, it sounds like an unlawful detainer case which I've found is quicker than an eviction. I'd personally hire an attorney who is familiar with Florida law, however, most county clerks offices in Florida have very clear instructions on their websites on how to handle an unlawful detainer or an actual eviction if you decide to go that route.