Squatters

A pair of bills, HB 621 and SB 888, moving toward a vote by the full House and Senate would make it easier to remove squatters from residential property. Some worry that authorities could unfairly apply the rules to renters.

HB 621, on squatters' rights, would expand the definition of “transient occupants” in two ways: It would include renters without a notarized lease and tenants without a receipt of rental payment to the property's owner.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is asking the locals to watch out for anyone taking over vacant homes during the Republican National Convention.…