What can I do if I inherit a "squatter"?

[Justakidsmom]

What is the name of your state? California

I am in a buyer in short sale and escrow is scheduled to close in a week. Apparently, the currently owners don't live in the house, but they have let a "friend" stay in the house, I've been recently told, for free, with no agreement in place. I was told that the sellers have not given the occupant notice to leave. My guess is they don't care, he's their friend and don't want to ruffle feathers. So when I officially become owner,,, my guess is, there is going to be someone squatting in my house. Does this squatter have all of the rights of an official tenant even though there is no agreement with the previous owners much less myself? Does this mean that on the day the escrow closes and I "take possession on paper" that I have to then give this person 30 day notice to leave.. then what?

In any case, I'm quite worried because this person has 2 great big dogs that I know nothing about, I don't know what kind of dogs they are and I'm worried that I will not be able to get insurance and that I will be liable if anything happens.
Any thoughts on these issues would be appreciated.

 

[Banned_Princess]

What is the name of your state? California

I am in a buyer in short sale and escrow is scheduled to close in a week. Apparently, the currently owners don't live in the house, but they have let a "friend" stay in the house, I've been recently told, for free, with no agreement in place. I was told that the sellers have not given the occupant notice to leave. My guess is they don't care, he's their friend and don't want to ruffle feathers. So when I officially become owner,,, my guess is, there is going to be someone squatting in my house. Does this squatter have all of the rights of an official tenant even though there is no agreement with the previous owners much less myself? Does this mean that on the day the escrow closes and I "take possession on paper" that I have to then give this person 30 day notice to leave.. then what?

In any case, I'm quite worried because this person has 2 great big dogs that I know nothing about, I don't know what kind of dogs they are and I'm worried that I will not be able to get insurance and that I will be liable if anything happens.
Any thoughts on these issues would be appreciated.

No such thing as a squater.

They have ALL the rights of a tenant, and need to be handled as such.

Google landlord tenant laws in whatever state you said you were in. Oh california.

Tenant gets 60 day notice, if he has lived there 1 year +

You dont have to buy the house.

 

[Justakidsmom]

I'm told he's been there about 8 months... so I guess I'll get the paperwork ready and deliver a 30 day notice when escrow closes. And pray nothing bad happens with the dogs until he leaves.

 

[Andy0192]

You can certainly indicate you don't want to buy a house that has a "squatter" and see if it motivates the "Friend" to get out & not screw up the sale.

 

[TigerD]

DO NOT CLOSE ON THE PLACE UNTIL HE HAS BEEN EVICTED and the damages repaired.

You are about to purchase a minefield. Don't do it.

DC

 

[chico landlord]

squatter

Justkidsmom, before you do anything find out if it a rent controlled area . If it is you will want to hire a real estate lawyer. You may be able to have bank/seller hold some money in escrow to cover costs.

 

[justalayman]

DO NOT CLOSE ON THE PLACE UNTIL HE HAS BEEN EVICTED and the damages repaired.

You are about to purchase a minefield. Don't do it.

DC

that deserves to be said twice.


I would refuse to close until the current owner has the "tenant" out. as to damages; you could work though those or eat them if you had to, depending on how bad they are but getting a resident tenant, with no contract, out; you are just asking for a lengthy and possibly expensive problem.

 

[chico landlord]

squatter

You could also try to buy them out. Like a cash for keys deal. I have done this twice . Usually someone comes to help move-out a tenant and they stay.And the police won't remove them even with no rental agreement. However it's tricky because you do not own the property so the owner would have to evict . How long has he lived there?

 

[atomizer]

Better personally make sure the guy is out and the house is still in one piece before you close.

 

[Banned_Princess]

You could also try to buy them out. Like a cash for keys deal. I have done this twice . Usually someone comes to help move-out a tenant and they stay.And the police won't remove them even with no rental agreement. However it's tricky because you do not own the property so the owner would have to evict . How long has he lived there?

how about you get with the program.

 

[nextwife]

They put their "buddy" in there, I'd leave it to them to figure out how to get/buy them out of the place if they want you to close. I'd not close until vacant and a walk through completed to verify no damage has been done. They created the problem, leave it to them to resolve it if they want this closed. There are plenty of vacant homes out there to buy.