Squatters Beware As Georgia Governor Signs TOUGH New Law

This move comes as homeowners nationwide continue to grapple with the issue of squatters.

During an appearance on "Fox & Friends," Kemp discussed the forthcoming Georgia Squatter Reform Act. The legislation, which he planned to sign later that day, would expedite the eviction process and enable property owners to seek damages from squatters.

"Regrettably, unscrupulous individuals have discovered loopholes to exploit the process that is managed by local government. As a result, we are enacting legislation that I will sign immediately after this interview to increase the penalties, to pursue these individuals, to expedite the eviction process, and to allow the property owner to seek damages from these squatters," Kemp stated.

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Ainsley Earhardt of Fox News clarified that under the new law, squatting would be classified as a misdemeanor criminal offense, punishable by a year in jail. She further explained that squatters could face a $1,000 fine, potentially in addition to jail time, and if they fabricate a lease, they could be charged with a felony.

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April 25, 2024

Kemp expressed his outrage at the situation, stating, "It's madness that people believe they can simply occupy someone else's home. It's utterly outrageous." He added, "This situation underscores the lawlessness that has been rampant under the Biden administration, as we've observed across the country."

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In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, also a Republican, signed a bill abolishing squatters' rights in his state. When questioned about whether Georgia's bill goes beyond Florida's, Kemp responded that he believed the two were very similar.

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"I’m confident it’s largely the same, just utilizing the legal powers we possess to expedite the process. It's absurd that this even occurs to begin with. But when you can't evict these individuals from your own property, it speaks to the madness of the world we're living in now. I know that Governor DeSantis won't tolerate this, and neither will we," Kemp said.

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Kesha Chedeaux, a real estate agent and victim of squatters, shared her experience with Fox News' Lawrence Jones in February. She recounted an incident where a squatter in Atlanta, Georgia, sold appliances from a property.

"The most recent incident involved a squatter who completely ruined the place," Chedeaux said. "One has been incarcerated. They sold the appliances from the property and received money for them. They left feces everywhere and slept in the beds because these properties are staged on the market."

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Chedeaux warned that any attempts to remove squatters from the properties they occupy can be perilous.

"First and foremost, it's dangerous. Those who engage in this behavior clearly have no fear as they're taking possession of your property without your consent…" she said.

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Chedeaux further explained, "They've actually broken into the property, posted ads on Craigslist, and then they're taking people's money for deposit and rent, and then they don't get access to the property. So that's another instance of them being scammed."