GA and NY are cracking down on squatters

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New York lawmakers are pushing a flurry of bills on squatters, declaring enough is enough after a series of disturbing home takeovers in the Big Apple and elsewhere.

“There have unfortunately been several instances of squatters attempting to — or even succeeding — in taking over private homes,” Democrat Sen. John Liu told The Post Wednesday, crediting The Post and others for shining a light on some of the harrowing squatter incidents.

“It’s been captured quite vividly by the media, including this publication, that has brought to our attention a problem that needed to be addressed.

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Liu said the new legislation was “simple and crystal clear.”

Squatters are not tenants, squatters are people who intrude on private property without authorization from the owners, their representatives, or tenants,” the senator said.

Squatters had been able to claim tenants’ rights after just 30 days of occupancy under New York City law.

“There was some presumption, perhaps mistaken, that after 30 days squatters somehow get rights as tenants. They don’t have any rights under state housing laws.”

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Gov. Brian Kemp, R-Ga., said Wednesday he plans to sign a bill that would make squatting a crime in Georgia as squatters continue to frustrate homeowners across the nation. 

Kemp joined "Fox & Friends" to discuss the legislation, and said he would be signing the Georgia Squatter Reform Act on Wednesday, which would allow property owners to go after squatters for damages, in addition to speeding up the eviction process. 

"Unfortunately, bad actors have figured out ways to take advantage of this, exploit, really the process that goes through the local government. So we’re passing legislation that I’m going to sign right after this interview to stiffen the penalties, to go after these folks, to also speed up the eviction process. But, also, allow the property owner to go after these squatters for damages," Kemp said. 

Fox News' Ainsley Earhardt said squatting would become a misdemeanor criminal defense, punishable by a year in jail, under the new law. She added that squatters could face a $1,000 fine, sometimes in addition to possible jail time, and if they forge a fake lease, they could be charged with a felony.

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