It is typical to think of a home security system as a tool for preventing burglary and home invasion. But have you ever considered squatting? A home security system with 24-hour monitoring can be as effective at fighting squatting as it is fighting burglary.
Imagine going on an extended vacation only to return home and find squatters living in your house. It’s a nightmare scenario. And unfortunately, squatting has been on the rise in recent years as those who do it have learned how to work the law in their own favor. But property owners do not have to sit idly by and let squatters win. They can fight back. A good place to start is by installing a home security system.
What Squatters Do
Squatters come in all sizes and shapes, so to speak. Some are down-on-their-luck tenants who ultimately stay in a property long after they have stopped paying rent. Others are outsiders who find a vacant home and decide to move in. The one thing they all have in common is the practice of taking over property that belongs to someone else and then refusing to leave.
The problem in many cities is that laws designed to protect tenants’ rights have gone too far in the sense that they even protect people who are not legal tenants. Take New York, for example. A squatter becomes a legal tenant in someone else’s property after just 30 days. So if a squatter knows that a homeowner is out of town and won’t be back for several months, he can move right in and take possession of the property. After 30 days, the homeowner cannot:
- Change the locks.
- Stop the utilities.
- Enter the property without permission.
The lawful property owner is barred from his own property under a law that gives the squatter the legal right to occupy said property as a tenant – whether he is actually paying rent. How does a home security system play into all of this?
Home Security and Early Warning
One of the things a home security system does is provide early warning when something is amiss. A professionally monitored system would alert a homeowner and the monitoring company the very moment someone breaks into the home. The police can be called and the person arrested for burglary.
Early warning allows for an immediate response. In a state like New York, responding right away eliminates the risk of falling victim to the 30-day rule. On the other hand, leaving a house empty and not knowing squatters have taken over until a month or two down the road doesn’t leave a property owner many options. It is too late to do anything at that point.
The Deterrence Factor
There is also the deterrence factor. As Vivint Home Security explains, criminals of all types are not big fans of security systems. They are especially weary of video cameras. Squatters are included here. Most people who would otherwise illegally enter a home will be deterred by professional home security.
A home security system with video cameras ensures that perpetrators are being watched. A security system creates evidence that can be used for both investigation and prosecution. So between deterrence and early warning, a home security system gives a property owner the upper hand against squatters.
Truth be told, this discussion should not even be necessary. There should be no such thing as squatters’ rights. But until sensible politicians change local laws, property owners need to protect themselves as best they can. A home security system is one way to reduce the threat of squatting.
