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Prevent Car Break-ins: Cloudastructure’s multi-family residential remote surveillance

Multifamily Crime Poll

Squatter Laws: Key Insights on Evictions, Legal Delays, and Security Concerns

Q1: How familiar are you with your state’s squatter laws?

Poll Results

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Poll Results — Q1: How familiar are you with your state’s squatter laws?

11/11 answered

Very familiar — I know the timelines and procedures — 0 (0%)
Somewhat familiar — I’ve dealt with it before — 1 (9%)
Not very familiar — I rely on legal counsel — 10 (91%)
Wait… there are squatter laws? — 0 (0%)

Key Takeaways

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Heavy reliance on counsel. 91% are “not very familiar” and depend on legal counsel, signaling potential delays and higher costs once a squatter issue arises.

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Training gap. With 0% very familiar, teams likely lack clarity on timelines, notices, and documentation standards needed for swift action.

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Limited firsthand experience. Only 9% are “somewhat familiar,” suggesting most properties have not managed a full squatter case end-to-end.

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Prevention over reaction. The expertise gap heightens the need for proactive deterrence and evidence capture so properties aren’t learning the law in the middle of a crisis.

Summary: Most property professionals are unfamiliar with squatter laws, with many relying entirely on legal support. This knowledge gap leaves properties vulnerable when squatters appear. AI Video Surveillance, and Remote Guarding offer proactive protection, while AI Analytics for Surveillance enables real-time deterrence to strengthen Multifamily Security before legal issues arise.

Q2: Have you ever had to legally remove a squatter from one of your properties?

Poll Results

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Poll Results — Q2: Have you ever had to legally remove a squatter from one of your properties?

No, but I’ve come close — 5 (50%)
No, and I hope I never do — 4 (40%)
Yes — once — 1 (10%)
Yes — multiple times — 0 (0%)

Key Takeaways

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Direct experience is rare. Only 10% of respondents reported legally removing a squatter once, and none had done so multiple times.

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Near misses are common. Half (50%) said they haven’t had to remove a squatter but have come close, showing that the risk is widespread even if full legal action is less frequent.

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Strong desire to avoid the issue. 40% said they have never faced this and hope they never do, suggesting a mix of caution and anxiety around the topic.

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Perception of rarity vs. risk. With only one respondent reporting direct legal action, it may seem uncommon, but the high percentage of “close calls” indicates many properties could face this challenge in the future.

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Preventive measures are key. The mix of “near misses” and low direct removals highlights the opportunity for proactive security strategies to stop squatters before they become a legal burden.

Summary: Although only a small share of respondents have legally removed squatters, many report close calls, underscoring the importance of prevention over reaction. Multifamily surveillance solutions such as Remote Video Guarding, AI Analytics for Surveillance, and Real-Time Crime Deterrence can help stop unauthorized occupancy before it escalates.

Q3: Did your state recently pass new legislation to speed up squatter evictions?

Poll Results

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Poll Results — Q3: Did your state recently pass new legislation to speed up squatter evictions?

Yes — and it’s made a big difference — 0 (0%)
Yes — but enforcement is still tricky — 1 (14%)
No — and we need it — 1 (14%)
I’m not sure — 5 (71%)

Key Takeaways

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High uncertainty. 71% are not sure whether new laws passed—suggesting limited communication or rapidly changing rules that leave teams guessing.

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No clear wins yet. 0% said reforms “made a big difference,” implying that, even where changes exist, results aren’t being felt on the ground.

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Enforcement is the bottleneck. 14% report “yes, but enforcement is still tricky,” pointing to court backlogs, proof standards, and inconsistent policing.

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Demand for reform. 14% say “no—and we need it,” signaling pressure for clearer, faster eviction pathways.

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Operational takeaway. With low clarity and uneven enforcement, properties should prioritize prevention and airtight documentation so cases move faster when they arise.

Summary: Uncertainty around squatter-eviction laws is leaving many property teams unsure of their options, and even where legislation exists, enforcement remains a major challenge. With little clarity or consistency in the process, the most effective strategy is to focus on prevention and strong documentation so that, if a case arises, managers are equipped to move quickly and efficiently.

Q4: If you did have a squatter, what would concern you most?

Poll Results

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Poll Results — Q4: Has your company updated lease terms or security policies in response to squatter activity?

Yes — we’ve tightened lease language — 0 (0%)
Yes — we’ve added security or surveillance — 0 (0%)
Not yet — but we’re reviewing it — 4 (57%)
No — hasn’t been an issue for us — 3 (43%)

Four Key Takeaways

✔

Proactive updates are rare. 0% reported tightening lease language or adding security/surveillance specifically for squatter concerns.

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Policies under review. 57% said “not yet, but we’re reviewing it,” showing many teams are considering adjustments but haven’t acted.

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No action due to low exposure. 43% haven’t updated policies because squatter issues haven’t been a problem at their properties.ure to upgrade systems.

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Gap between awareness and action. While most acknowledge the risk, the absence of implemented changes highlights hesitation or uncertainty about best practices.

Summary: Most companies haven’t updated lease terms or security policies for squatter issues, though many are reviewing options. This gap between awareness and action shows the need for proactive measures to prevent problems before they escalate.

Q5: What’s your biggest challenge when dealing with squatters?

Poll Results

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Poll Results – Q5: Which of these tools would help you most in reducing risk after resident altercations?

Better staff training and case management protocols — 15/26 (58%)
Clearer lease language — 1/26 (4%)
Escalating consequences for altercations including fines — 6/26 (23%)
More visible surveillance — 2/26 (8%)
AI that flags and stores offender behavior until the altercation is resolved — 2/26 (8%)

Key Takeaways

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Courts are the main barrier. 57% pointed to legal red tape and slow courts as the biggest challenge, showing delays in the justice system are the top frustration.

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Resident concerns matter. 29% cited safety complaints, underscoring that squatter activity directly impacts community confidence and livability.

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Law enforcement delays add to the problem. 14% reported slow response from police, compounding already lengthy court processes.

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Proof isn’t the issue. 0% said proving squatters have no right to be there was the main challenge, suggesting evidence is easier to obtain than action.

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Operational takeaway. The biggest hurdles are systemic delays, meaning property teams should focus on proactive deterrence to avoid entering a slow-moving legal process in the first place.

Summary: For most respondents, the biggest challenge in handling squatters isn’t proof but the slow-moving legal and enforcement system. These delays heighten resident safety concerns and make quick resolution difficult. Proactive measures like AI Video Surveillance and Remote Guarding services can help deter squatters early and provide the evidence needed to minimize disputes before they escalate into lengthy legal battles.

Prevent Car Break-ins: Cloudastructure’s multi-family residential remote surveillance

Multifamily Crime Poll

Squatter Laws: Key Insights on Evictions, Legal Delays, and Security Concerns

Squatter Laws Survey

Q1: How familiar are you with your state’s squatter laws?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Q2: Have you ever had to legally remove a squatter from one of your properties?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Q3: Did your state recently pass new legislation to speed up squatter evictions?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Q4: If you did have a squatter, what would concern you most?

Poll Results

Four Key Takeaways

Q5: What’s your biggest challenge when dealing with squatters?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Know Your Law

Turn Insights Into Action

Prevent Car Break-ins: Cloudastructure’s multi-family residential remote surveillance

Multifamily Crime Poll

Squatter Laws: Key Insights on Evictions, Legal Delays, and Security Concerns

Squatter Laws Survey

Q1: How familiar are you with your state’s squatter laws?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Q2: Have you ever had to legally remove a squatter from one of your properties?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Q3: Did your state recently pass new legislation to speed up squatter evictions?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Q4: If you did have a squatter, what would concern you most?

Poll Results

Four Key Takeaways

Q5: What’s your biggest challenge when dealing with squatters?

Poll Results

Key Takeaways

Know Your Law

Turn Insights Into Action

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