You go on vacation for a month, get home and squatters live there.

[Robert W]

This is the 3rd op on this topic that I located.
But this is not rare. Squatters in CA have taken over homes and when the residents get back home, they find squatters there and have to then legally evict them. Check out the cost to evict. Then the damage done has to be also fixed. Has any of you seen this happen?

 

[TroglocratsRdumb]

The owners should move in and make the lives of the squatters unbearable.

 

[Moonglow]

Hire a house evictor.

 

[Moonglow]

The owners should move in and makes the squatters lives unbearable.

A shotgun helps.

 

[shockedcanadian]

 

[MarathonMike]

The owners should move in and make the lives of the squatters unbearable.

The squatters usually change the locks on the house after they break in. The Police won't help you it's crazy. Not sure what I would do. Maybe late night drone "attacks" with loud recorded sounds like gun shots, explosions, etc.

 

[Dante]

This is the 3rd op on this topic that I located.
But this is not rare. Squatters in CA have taken over homes and when the residents get back home, they find squatters there and have to then legally evict them. Check out the cost to evict. Then the damage done has to be also fixed. Has any of you seen this happen?

not telling the whole story

but

proceed

 

[Dante]

The uninformed, low info posters a@ usmb are pathetic.

AI Overview
When strangers move into an empty home during a vacation, police often initially treat it as a civil landlord-tenant dispute rather than arresting them for breaking and entering. This happens because squatters frequently present fake leases to law enforcement, making it difficult to immediately prove criminal intent on the scene. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Why Police Hesitate to Arrest

• Fake Leases: Squatters often rely on forged documents or fall victim to leasing scams. Because they claim to be legal tenants, police may step back to avoid false arrest or civil rights liability. [1, 2, 3]
• Civil vs. Criminal: Trespassing is criminal, but establishing residency—even unlawfully—often forces property owners into the formal eviction process to avoid physical confrontations. [1, 2]

How to Get Them Arrested

• Demand Immediate Removal: Inform responding officers that the occupants are unauthorized, not legal tenants. [1]
• Provide Proof of Ownership: Provide your official deed, utility bills, and your driver's license to prove the home is yours and there are no active, valid leases.
• Report Burglary or Vandalism: Point out forced entry (e.g., broken locks or shattered windows). Documenting property damage and stolen items escalates the incident from a civil matter to a felony burglary or breaking and entering charge. [1, 2]

Next Steps for Property Owners

1. File a Police Report: Make sure to explicitly use the terms "breaking and entering," "burglary," and "criminal trespass" when speaking with dispatch. [1]
2. Contact Legal Counsel: Reach out to a local attorney who specializes in landlord-tenant or real estate law. Under local guidelines (like California's Penal Code §418), attempting illegal lockouts on your own can result in civil fines or criminal charges against you. [1]
3. Initiate an Unlawful Detainer: If police are unable to remove the individuals immediately, your attorney must file a formal unlawful detainer lawsuit to legally regain possession of the property. [1]

For official guidance on dealing with squatters in the state, consult the California Department of Real Estate to understand your legal rights and the authorized processes for removal.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

The squatters usually change the locks on the house after they break in. The Police won't help you it's crazy. Not sure what I would do. Maybe late night drone "attacks" with loud recorded sounds like gun shots, explosions, etc.

.

Good start.

.

 

[ozro]

It would be a good time to have Orkin tent and fog the house for termites.