More Squatters Moving Into Mega Mansions
BOCA RATON (CBSMiami) – A 23-year-old man who recently moved into a $2.5 million mansion using an obscure real estate law is in good company: a $4.6 million oceanfront mansion is among other foreclosed properties to risk being taken over by squatters.
Three more filings for "adverse possession" were submitted to the office of Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish on Tuesday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports, and she's asking state legislators to evict the law, which she said is antiquated.
"It's not a 21st century law — they ought to abolish it," Parrish told the paper, pointing out that it was passed in 1876, when Florida was almost entirely agricultural land. Parrish said the law aimed to prevent misuse of abandoned land.
State Rep. Irving Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, said he agrees.
"I think Lori Parrish has a great idea," he said.
The obscure law of adverse possession enables someone to move into a house and claim the title. The catch? They must stay there for seven years, paying all liens and property taxes.
Andre Barbosa, a Brazilian national also known as "Loki Boy," made headlines by filing adverse possession on the $2.5 million, 7,200-square foot, 5-bedroom home in a wealthy Boca neighborhood.
Miami City Commissioner Marc Sarnoff sought legislative support in 2011 to fight squatters. CBS4 Investigates has been following the plight of other homeowners affected by squatting. Read Michele Gillen's in-depth investigation here.
Read more about area squatters in the Sun-Sentinel's full article.
