In a recent interview with Flash Shelton, a California resident deeply affected by the issue of squatting, the discussion centered around the troubling rise of squatters in the state. He shared his insights into the complexities of California’s squatters’ rights laws and his personal experiences dealing with this unsettling trend.
“Recently, I learned that in California, squatters can gain potential tenancy rights after residing on a property for just 30 days,” Shelton explained. He recounted an alarming incident involving a Hollywood Hills mansion formerly rented by Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, which has now been covered in graffiti. This is just one of many properties across the state facing similar challenges, where squatters exploit legal loopholes to establish occupancy.
Shelton highlighted a particularly distressing event from March when a $5 million Beverly Hills home was occupied without permission. The real estate agent representing the property called the police, only to be informed that it was a civil matter because the squatters presented what they claimed were rental agreements.
Even more shocking, in September, two additional mansions in Hollywood Hills were taken over and vandalized, owned by John Powers Middleton, the son of Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton.
Daniel P. Phillips, a partner at Belkin, Burden & Goldman Real Estate Litigation, pointed out that it’s not uncommon for squatters to produce false documents or concoct stories about how they gained access to the properties. He noted, “These squatters create fake rental documents or tell elaborate tales about how the landlords permitted them to stay.”
California’s laws regarding squatters vary significantly from state to state. After a squatter occupies a property for 30 days, they can claim tenancy rights. Furthermore, if an individual continues to pay property taxes on a place for five years, they may eventually gain ownership through a process called adverse possession.
Legal experts indicate that while ownership cannot be transferred to squatters after that initial 30-day period, they can establish rental rights. If a landlord attempts to evict a squatter via a written notice and the squatter refuses to leave, the landlord must initiate an unlawful detainer lawsuit, which can take several months to resolve.
Shelton, who has taken a personal interest in California’s squatter laws after his mother’s home was overtaken, has shared a unique approach with social media followers. He considers himself a “Squatter Hunter,” and after extensive research into squatters’ rights, he flipped the script on those occupying the property.
“I immersed myself in understanding everything about squatters,” Shelton said. “I realized that if I could establish rights before they did, I could essentially become the squatter myself. I locked them out, set up surveillance, and warned them that any further attempts to enter would result in legal action. That was enough to deter them.”
His compelling story has resonated widely, prompting him to assist others who find themselves in similar predicaments. Shelton strongly believes that states lenient towards squatters should reassess their laws, arguing that if someone unlawfully enters a home, that act should always be considered a crime, regardless of how long they stay.
