Donald Trump Jr. has openly criticized New York’s “adverse possessor” laws, also known as “squatters rights” laws, following an incident where a property owner faced legal consequences for confronting squatters on their property.
In New York, individuals who occupy a property for 30 consecutive days are granted tenant status, obligating property owners to adhere to formal eviction procedures. This process includes delivering a “notice to quit,” allowing the squatters 10 days to vacate. Should the squatters remain beyond the stipulated period, the owner is then required to initiate an eviction lawsuit.
Trump Jr. expressed his concerns on social media, suggesting that such laws in what he refers to as “Joe Biden’s America” favor squatters over rightful property owners, posing rhetorical questions about property rights and ownership in the current political climate.
Adverse possession has long been a topic of debate in New York, prompting legislative amendments in 2008 aimed at safeguarding homeowners. More recently, Republican Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz introduced legislation intended to streamline the process for property owners to evict squatters, addressing the challenges faced by homeowners who bear the financial burden while unauthorized occupants reside in their properties without consequence. Blumencranz emphasized the necessity of preventing squatters from exploiting legal loopholes to the detriment of legitimate property owners.
