Squatting is becoming more and more of an issue across the country, especially in Florida, where a law was passed last year to protect homes against squatters.
On Monday, however, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two legislation that bolster Florida’s anti-squatting efforts. Owners of restaurants, hotels, and motels as well as owners of commercial real estate are granted additional rights under the new regulations.
Despite offering guests an opulent stay, one woman in August was not welcome at the Westin Sarasota. The management phoned the Sarasota Police Department after making a scene in the eating area and hotel pool.
The struggle to get her to leave was captured in body camera footage that Florida Cop Cam uploaded on YouTube.
“She had a lot of erratic behavior. Yesterday she was drinking at the rooftop and got really intoxicated. We asked her to leave. She kept coming back,” manager stated.
Lawmakers aim to safeguard owners of commercial, hotel, motel, and restaurant properties from squatters.
“It’s a big win for the hotel industry. Hospitality industry as a whole. We are excited about this bill and what it does, it protects the hotels and innkeepers,” the regional general manager for Westin Sarasota, Gil Reyes stated.
Law enforcement can remove unwanted people from commercial properties more quickly thanks to Senate Bill 322.
Additionally, it shields property owners from squatter-related financial losses and material damage while offering them a simplified procedure to reclaim their property.
Senate Bill 606 prohibits hotel visitors from claiming residency while bolstering the rights of lodging facilities and dining establishments.
“You’re either paying or you’re not and if you’re not, it shouldn’t evolve into some major landlord tenant dispute; The person should just be escorted off the property and leave. I think this is something that will be really good for our economy. Property rights are really important. If you don’t have private property rights you cannot have a free society,” DeSantis stated.
The problem was raised by Boca Raton State Representative Peggy Gossett-Sideman.
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Kurt Hoffman, the sheriff for Sarasota County, stated that his deputies have encountered this issue.
“Those folks are trying to make money, pay their employees, pay their rent. Many times we would come in there and find the facilities destroyed,” he stated.
Businesses and property owners now have more rights to safeguard the things they have worked so hard to create thanks to the measures.
“Having that language in there that defines what transient is makes it easier for my deputies to go out and get these folks out and restore that,” Hoffman stated.
Specific criminal penalties for fraudulent property listings and unauthorized occupancy are introduced in Senate bill 322. The purpose of the bill is to prevent squatters from instructing or motivating others to follow suit.
