Can squatters be kicked out by the owners of the property?
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Can squatters be kicked out by the owners of the property?
There is an abandoned house in our area, and our research into who owns the property turned up nothing. No one in the county knows where the deed is/who had the deed. If we moved into the house and fixed it up, would we be kicked out if/when the owner/deed turns up? If so, would we have any warning/notice of needing to evacuate? What legal rights would we have? Could we set up and use utilities?
Asked on August 3, 2011 Wisconsin
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
No, I do not think that it is a good idea for you to do this. An attorney can not advise you to enter a home that is not yours - which is breaking the law of trespassing - and set up camp. The owner would have an absolute right to have you evicted and possible evenarrested. I think that what you are trying to do is acquire it by adverse possession but so much could go wrong. There can not be no records of ownership anywhere. Have you checked tax records? I am sure that if the taxes have not been paid the county would have foreclosed on the house because of same. Try getting help from a professional title searcher or attorney in your area. Good luck.
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