Serial Squatters: The Hidden Danger of Renting Your Home

🏡The home, which has sentimental value to the landlords, is being held hostage by professional deadbeat tenants who have been living there rent-free for nine months.

💔The landlords discover a shocking history of previous squats by the same tenants in multiple residences.

⚖️The eviction process is lengthy and costly, and current California laws designed to protect tenants create vulnerabilities, leaving landlords like Karen and Skip to fight serial squatters.

🔍Homeowners are advised to do thorough background checks on potential tenants and consider hiring property managers to avoid falling victim to serial squatters.

💪Karen and Skip, along with other landlords, share their stories to raise awareness about the issues and flaws in the system, urging homeowners to trust their instincts and take action.

How did the professional deadbeat tenants manage to live rent-free for so long?

—The tenants, using fake documents and excuses, manipulated the system and took advantage of California's laws designed to protect tenants, which make the eviction process lengthy and costly.

What should homeowners do to protect themselves from serial squatters?

—Homeowners are advised to thoroughly screen potential tenants by conducting background checks, verifying employment and income, and considering hiring property managers.

Are serial squatters a common problem?

—Serial squatters are a growing concern, particularly in California, where laws designed to protect tenants create vulnerabilities, making it easier for squatters to exploit landlord rights.

What are the flaws in the current eviction process?

—The eviction process is lengthy and costly, allowing squatters to live rent-free for extended periods. California's laws designed to protect tenants make it harder for landlords to regain control of their properties.

What message do Karen and Skip want to convey to other homeowners?

—Karen and Skip urge homeowners to trust their instincts, do thorough background checks, and be proactive in protecting their rights as landlords.

00:01A couple's home is being held hostage by professional deadbeat tenants known as "serial squatters." They've been living there rent-free for the past nine months.

02:32The landlords uncover a shocking history of previous squats by the same tenants in multiple residences.

05:19The eviction process is lengthy and costly, and current California laws designed to protect tenants create vulnerabilities, leaving landlords like Karen and Skip to fight serial squatters.

06:08Homeowners are advised to do thorough background checks on potential tenants and consider hiring property managers to avoid falling victim to serial squatters.

07:58Karen and Skip, along with other landlords, share their stories to raise awareness about the issues and flaws in the system, urging homeowners to trust their instincts and take action.