New York lawmakers are pushing a flurry of payments on squatters, declaring sufficient is sufficient after a collection of disturbing residence takeovers within the Massive Apple and elsewhere.
“There have sadly been a number of situations of squatters trying to — and even succeeding — in taking up non-public houses,” Democrat Sen. John Liu instructed The Publish Wednesday, crediting The Publish and others for shining a light-weight on a few of the harrowing squatter incidents.
“It’s been captured fairly vividly by the media, together with this publication, that has dropped at our consideration an issue that wanted to be addressed.”
Liu launched Senate Invoice 8996 on April 8 together with Assemblyman Ron Kim, a Democrat, which was sponsored by greater than half a dozen Senate lawmakers.
The invoice got here amid a wave of alarming incidents the place owners had been pushed out of their very own houses after squatters had staked their claims.
Lower than two weeks later, language from Liu’s invoice was included within the $237 billion price range settlement which was signed into legislation over the weekend by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Liu mentioned the brand new laws was “easy and crystal clear.”
Squatters are usually not tenants, squatters are individuals who intrude on non-public property with out authorization from the house owners, their representatives, or tenants,” the senator mentioned.
Liu says the amendments to the present legislation had been supposed to enhance the “fuzzy” language round squatters rights because it had been beforehand written.
Squatters had been capable of declare tenants’ rights after simply 30 days of occupancy below New York Metropolis legislation.
“There was some presumption, maybe mistaken, that after 30 days squatters one way or the other get rights as tenants. They don’t have any rights below state housing legal guidelines.”
Liu mentioned the brand new laws “will get the ball rolling straighter and quicker” to addressing the issue by new authorized avenues.
“This was a measure that we may take instantly and urgently, which we did. However we’ll proceed to search for stronger protections for owners whereas not jeopardizing reputable tenants.”
Talking to reporters after a speech touting her housing package deal Tuesday, Hochul mentioned the current adjustments to state legislation had been enacted “as a result of it is smart.”
“We’ve addressed this disaster so squatters shouldn’t have the identical rights as tenants. That’s agency. They are often prosecuted, and there can be penalties for them, so that’s the message that ought to go on the market.”
The governor additionally singled out the in depth media protection for shining a light-weight on the matter.
“I recognize the media’s efforts on this area and it calls consideration to an issue that has been there, however nobody else stood up and did one thing about it. So I’m actually proud that we will ship for individuals.”
The squatter downside has change into a uncommon occasion the place Republican and Democratic lawmakers discover themselves in settlement.
Earlier this month, Republican state Sen. Mario Mattera launched a four-part legislative proposal he dubbed the “Battle on Squatting,” which might enable cops to evict squatters on the spot primarily based on a sworn grievance from a house owner, with out requiring them to go to court docket.
“With the continued lack of help for legislation enforcement and a pro-criminal mindset, we’ve got seen an epidemic rise in squatting in New York State,” Mattera mentioned in an announcement.
“It’s overwhelmingly apparent that the legal guidelines of this state fall approach in need of addressing the squatter concern successfully.”
Mattera mentioned the proposal “seeks to reverse the present development that favors squatters and trespassers over owners, restoring basic rights to the rightful house owners of our nice state.”
The proposed laws would additionally make squatting against the law prosecuted below legal trespass within the third diploma, a measure additionally favored by Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, a Republican, in his personal anti-squatter proposal.
Blumencranz invoice would elevate the time interval required earlier than squatters may try to assert tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days.
“We’re already going to begin seeing each district attorneys and police take these conditions extra severely,” the Assemblyman instructed The Publish.
“Our hope is individuals will begin considering twice earlier than they squat, as a result of they gained’t be afforded the tenancy rights they had been historically given.”
The brand new anti-squatter laws enacted this week is a “improbable begin,” Blumencranz mentioned.
“If squatters are usually not offered tenancy rights, which is what it says within the price range, we’re making a improbable first step in the fitting path in terms of discovering and eliminating this downside in New York State for its residents.”
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