New York Enacts Tough Anti-Squatter Legislation

New laws clarify squatters' rights, excluding them from tenant protections and simplifying legal actions for homeowners.

New York's recent legislative changes address a surge in squatting incidents, distinguishing squatters from tenants in legal terms.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed the new measures into the state budget, aiming to protect homeowners and expedite legal processes.
The legislation was spurred by high-profile cases, including a homeowner handcuffed for confronting a squatter in Queens.
Lawmakers from both parties supported the initiative, reflecting a bipartisan effort to resolve the squatting issue.
The new laws allow for immediate police action in squatting cases, bypassing lengthy court battles.