Police in Boca Raton, Fla., have seized a $2.5 million mansion from a squatter after he tried to use an antiquated state law to take legal possession of the home from Bank of America reports ABC World News.
The “Free Mansion” Attempt
A Brazilian national found an empty mansion at 580 Golden Harbour Drive and decided to move in. He filed an “adverse possession claim,” which allowed him to stay there legally for the time being.
Under this little-known law, if a person pays the property taxes and bills for seven years, they may claim ownership. But Bank of America, which owns the property through foreclosure, wasn’t about to lose it. The bank quickly took legal steps with the help of local police to remove the squatter.
Not the First Case
Surprisingly, this wasn’t an isolated incident. According to WPTV, 13 claims were filed in 2011, 19 in 2012, and six more already in the following year. Clearly, some people are trying their luck with the same loophole.
The Truth About “Squatter’s Rights”
At first glance, the law sounds tempting — find an empty mansion, move in, and maybe own it someday. But that’s not how it works. “Adverse possession” laws exist in almost every U.S. state, yet they don’t make squatting legal right away.
A squatter is still considered a trespasser until they meet the time and payment conditions, which can range from seven to twenty years, depending on the state.
When Desperation Meets Loopholes
Imagine being homeless. Instead of sleeping on the streets, you find a small vacant home, pay a small filing fee, and move in quietly. You might stay for months before being forced out.
That’s exactly what happened to Kenneth Robinson in Texas. He paid $16 to file an “adverse possession” claim and stayed eight months in a $340,000 home rent-free. Later, he even wrote an e-book teaching others how to do it.
But his time ran out when the mortgage holder foreclosed, and Robinson left before eviction.
A Temporary Win, Not a Real Solution
For someone desperate, eight months in a safe home might feel like a victory. But in the end, “adverse possession” is no easy shortcut to free housing — and banks are always watching.
This guy made it 8 months before he had to get out. Eight months off the street sounds pretty good if I’m homeless.
