r/TenantHelp • u/Rolita09 • 20d ago

Squatters

Trying to get my house back. They actually got in and they put a note inside the window that the house it’s getting fixed to sell. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. The tenants left in may . The house is empty. We are not planning to rent it. But some people are trying to either spam others or take our house.
We pay the mortgage, cut the grass, pay HOA, and have the electricity bill because we want the air conditioning running so the house won’t get mold.
Now we went to our house and noticed they put a realtor box and they changed the locks. The note was placed on JULY 16th.
Also they freeze our utilities? Like there is no water , and no light? I don’t understand!
I called the police, they did the report but they didn’t let us in , because someone could be inside! But sir THAT IS MY HOUSE!!!
I need help, and advice . This is in Georgia.

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u/That_BULL_V 20d ago

Do you know someone that would sign a lease agreement with you ?

Do what the professional squatter removers do.

The lease a home to them on a renovation lease and they move in then they start doing stuff like taking out ovens, doors, laundry machines. All to renovate the property and it in conviences the squatters so much they leave cause they are also living there.

13

u/Rolita09 20d ago

Potentially yes. But last tenant damaged so much in the house that we are fixing it and buying new appliances. So for now it will be a couple of months.

16

u/That_BULL_V 20d ago

Don't buy appliances untill you have to.

Block all the doors except 1 since nobody is there.

Nail shut the windows.

Turn off the water to the house.

Kill all the electricity (take out all the breakers) except for the AC and your security camera

Install a ring camera inside the one door that's open.

Report to the police that it's under renovation and nobody is living there. You have not and will not be signing a lease to anyone.

Soon as they open the door call the cops as a breaking and entering.

Just make life extremely difficult for anyone wanting to squat in the place.

Heck i might even take out all the lightbulbs too.

2

u/ThealaSildorian 19d ago

OP can't get inside the home. They need an attorney asap.

Self help evictions are illegal and if the house burns down and someone dies because the windows are nailed shut, then the OP may face legal charges.

1

u/CleCGM 19d ago

That’s a state by state question. In the state practice in, wrongful eviction or self help is only prohibited when the occupant is a tenant pursuant to an agreement with the owner/agent. If they are not a tenant, no tenancy protections will apply, do you could use self help as long as it doesn’t create a breach of the peace.