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Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden, passed HB182 through the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday. The legislation will protect the state’s homeowners from illegal occupants, sometimes referred to as squatters. The bill passed with bipartisan support and a vote of 101-0.
“This legislation is important as we have seen the trend of squatting take hold across the nation,” Lipscomb explained. “It is important that we do not allow this practice to become a trend in Alabama.”
HB182 increases penalties for individuals who enter a residence that is not their own and also increases the penalty for anyone who presents a falsified document that they claim to be a lease, deed or other instrument authorizing ownership or occupancy.
“Individuals work hard to save money to purchase property. It is vital that we have laws on the books that protect that property from those who are searching for a way to steal a home from someone,” Lipscomb said. “If it is not your property and you do not have a legal document allowing you to be there, you will be committing a serious crime in this state. You will be arrested and removed from the property promptly after the rightful homeowner’s affidavit is filed. Property rights are serious and we are not playing around with this.”
Although this has not yet become a serious issue in Alabama, it has become an issue in other states. Lipscomb believes it is necessary to clarify Alabama’s laws to ensure that any attempt to conduct what he refers to as a “squatter scam” can be dealt with quickly and swiftly.
“By passing clear legislation on this matter, we are closing the door to squatting scammers before they cross the state line,” Lipscomb remarked.
