The concept of squatter’s rights often feels like something from a bygone era. The idea that someone can move into your property, live there without permission, and eventually claim legal ownership is certainly baffling. Nevertheless, this legal principle, known as “adverse possession,” is real and exists in all 50 states. While it’s rare for a squatter to succeed, the law can create some strange and unbelievable situations. Although most cases are straightforward, some are so bizarre they sound like they were pulled from a movie script. Here are five obscure squatter’s rights cases that sound unbelievable.
1. The Man Who Took a $300,000 House for $16
In 2011, Kenneth Robinson found an abandoned, $300,000 home in a wealthy Texas suburb after the owner had died, and the mortgage company went out of business. With the house sitting empty, Robinson researched adverse possession. Subsequently, he paid a $16 filing fee at the county courthouse, posted signs on the property, and moved in. Although neighbors were outraged and tried to force him out, his claim was legally sound. Robinson lived there for years before the original owner’s estate finally sorted things out and paid him to leave.
2. The Goat Pen That Sparked a Land Dispute
In a notable case from Delaware, a woman successfully claimed a piece of land she never owned, and her primary evidence was a simple goat pen. For decades, she had maintained the enclosure on what was, according to property records, her neighbor’s land. When a dispute finally arose, the woman filed an adverse possession claim, forcing the matter into court.
3. The Artist Who Squatted in a Hidden Apartment
In 2008, a group of artists discovered a hidden 600-square-foot apartment inside the wall of a shopping mall’s parking garage, a space forgotten since the 1980s. Artist Michael Townsend and his friends secretly renovated it. First, they installed plumbing and electricity, turning it into a fully functional home. For the next four years, the group lived there on and off. Eventually, authorities caught them, but the story of their secret apartment remains one of the most creative squatter’s rights cases ever.
4. The Florida Man Who Claimed a Bank-Owned Mansion
In 2013, a 23-year-old man named Andre Barbosa moved into a vacant, $2.5 million mansion in Boca Raton, Florida, which Bank of America owned after a foreclosure. Barbosa immediately filed an adverse possession claim, moved in his belongings, and even changed the name on the front gate. Citing a rare Florida law, he believed the property was rightfully his. His month-long stay, filled with parties and luxury, ended abruptly when police arrested and charged him with grand theft.
5. The Squatter Who Became a landlord
Perhaps the most audacious case involved a man in Oakland, California. First, he identified a vacant, foreclosed home and changed the locks. Following that, he filed a bogus deed with the county. Using this fraudulent paperwork, he then “rented” the house to an unsuspecting family. For months, he collected rent from them while the real owners, fighting with the bank, had no idea someone was living in their house. The squatter was not only possessing the property but was also profiting from it as a fake landlord.
Protecting Your Property Is Paramount
These squatter’s rights cases may sound unbelievable, but they highlight a crucial lesson for property owners. You must monitor your property, especially if it is vacant. Furthermore, it’s essential to pay your taxes, post “no trespassing” signs, and act quickly if you discover someone on your land. While lawmakers designed the principle of adverse possession to encourage the use of land, it can create a legal nightmare if you are not vigilant.
Property lines create the wildest neighborhood drama. What’s the most unbelievable dispute you’ve ever witnessed over a fence, a tree, or a misplaced shed? Share your story in the comments below!
What to Read Next…
- Why You Should Never Add a Child to Your Property Title Without This
- Why Do Men Think “Providing” Excuses Bad Behavior
- Tips for Keeping Your Vacation Property in Excellent Condition
- 9 Odd Items Burglars Leave Behind on Purpose
- 10 Safety Tricks Burglars Don’t Want You to Know
The post 5 Obscure Squatter’s Rights Cases That Sound Unbelievable appeared first on Budget and the Bees.
