By RPM Central Valley

Since the housing crash of 2007-2008, it’s not been uncommon for many landlords in California to report problems with squatters because thanks to a lot of vacant properties across the state at the time squatters were adept at using the law to their advantage.

Although the Real Estate market and rental market in California has changed since then some landlords have to deal squatters and thankfully there is a precise way to do it if you follow these tips.

Tips for Dealing with Squatters

1. Call the Police
   Act immediately if you discover a squatter by calling the police. The longer you wait, the more likely it will be for the courts to think you gave this person consent to be there. If the police declare this a civil matter and won’t remove the squatter, start the eviction process.

2. Give Notice, and then File an Unlawful Detainer action
   Once you serve the eviction notice, you could get lucky, and the squatter might leave. If not, you’ll need to file an unlawful detainer lawsuit, which is the formal way to evict. Make sure you follow your state’s laws.

3. Hire the Sheriff to Force the Squatter Out
   If the squatter is still sticking around after you’ve won your lawsuit, you’ll need to pay for a sheriff or police officer to get him out.

4. Legally Handle the Abandoned Personal Property
   Find out what you can and cannot do with any stuff the squatter might have left behind. You probably can’t just get rid of it and would need to follow proper procedure for your jurisdiction. Many times, you can place it in a storage unit at the tenant’s expense. If they don’t pay to remove the items, the storage facility will auction it off.

How to Avoid Squatters

Did you know that one of the easiest ways to avoid squatters is by hiring an experienced and reliable property manager for your rental properties? To get started with property management contact RPM Central Valley today by calling us at (209) 572-2222 or CLICK HERE to connect with us online.