Squaters' Right Full Guide | Evict an Squatter

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Squatters Rights In Oklahoma City
By Scott Nachatilo- Property Manager
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Who are Squatters?

• A squatter is someone who tries to settle on a
  foreclosed, unoccupied, or an un-abandoned
  residential building or area of land without
  lawful permission.
• They are not a tenants or renters.
• They dont own the property.

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Difference between Trespasser and Squatter
Trespasser Squatter
A trespasser is someone who enters or occupies another person's property without their consent. A squatter is someone who enters another person's land or property without their permission and claims possession.
They dont claim ownership after breaking into others property. They are attempting to claim ownership of the property by occupying it without authorization.
All squatters are trespasser. All trespasser are not squatters.
They have to evict the place immediately after landlord demand They will be given some time to evict the place or filed case against them to clear the property.
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Can Holdover Tenants Be Considered as Squatters?

• These are the tenants who refuse to leave the
  property even after the expiry of lease.
• The tenant is responsible for continuing to pay
  rent at the existing lease rate, and with the
  existing lease terms.
• If the landlord is fine with the current tenant
  even after the lease period has ended, they may
  continue to accept the rent without worrying
  about the legality of the occupancy. In this
  case, the tenant becomes a tenant at will which
  means that they are only on the property at the
  will of the landlord.

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Basic requirements for claiming property under
squatters rights in Oklahoma City

• Actual possession Being physically present and
  making use of the property
• Hostile Claim The legitimate owner has not
  granted authorization.
• Open and Notorious There has been no attempt to
  hide from the rightful owner.
• Exclusive Possession A single party has held
  possession.
• Color of Title They have a good faith conviction
  that they have legal rights to the property.
• Continuous Possession Period Possession is not
  split into time intervals, but rather as a
  continuous process.

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Can Property Managers deal with squatters?

• The risk of squatters is higher for foreclosed
  homes and abandoned houses. OKC Home Realty
  Service have been able to get rid of them either
  through police action or eviction.

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Things You Cannot Do as a Property Manager

• There are certain responsibilities of a property
  manager. The property manager cannot do the
  following things when squatters are found
  occupying the rental property
• Force the squatters out of the property
• Change the locks
• Cut utilities.

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How to Evict a Squatter in Oklahoma?

• If the squatters refuse to leave the property
  through civil methods, a landlord must file a
  judicial eviction to have them removed.
• If any of the squatters are claiming over your
  property, you must not make any attempt to
  physically remove the squatters or make a threat
  of violence.

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Provision in Oklahoma law for landowners with a
legal Disability

• While a landlord is legally disabled, no adverse
  possession claim can be issued.
• They have 2 years after their disability is
  lifted to claim their properties that are
  occupied by the squatters.
• After 2 years, if you dont make any effort to
  reclaim your property and the same squatters
  apply for possession again, you will not be able
  to reject it.

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Do Squatters Have to Pay Property Taxes in
Oklahoma City?

• Squatters have to pay property taxes to make an
  adverse possession claim oklahoma.
• A title from a tax assessor is required to claim
  the property.
• A squatter can only obtain a title from the tax
  assessor after paying property taxes for five
  consecutive years on a property where the legal
  owner isnt paying taxes.

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Tips for Protecting Your Property from Squatters
In Oklahoma City

• Inspect the property regularly. Always pay your
  property taxes.
• Ensure that the property is secured i.e Block all
  entrances, close all windows, and lock every
  door.
• Ask your neighbor to inform if any kind of
  suspicious activity is happening.
• Post No Trespassing signs on the property,
  especially if its currently vacant.
• Serve written notice as soon as you notice that
  squatters are present on your property.
• Call the sheriff to remove squatters from the
  premises if they do not leave.
• Legal Action. Hire an eviction attorney.

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OKC Home Realty Services www.yourokcpropertymanage
r.com