WILL A PERSON BE ABLE TO CLAIM SQUATTERS RIGHTS IF WE LET THEM STAY IN A TRAILER ON OUR PROPERTY?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
WILL A PERSON BE ABLE TO CLAIM SQUATTERS RIGHTS IF WE LET THEM STAY IN A TRAILER ON OUR PROPERTY?
WE ARE LETTING FRIENDS STAY ON OUR PROPERTY IN OUR VACANT SINGLE WIDE TRAILER. THEY PAY FOR THEIR ELECTRICITY BUT NOTHING ELSE. THEY HAVE BEEN THERE ALMOST A YEAR. WE TRIED TO HELP THEM AFTER THEIR HOUSE WAS FORECLOSED. I DON’T CARE IF THEY ARE THERE BUT i DON’T WANT TO LOSE MY PROPERTY. SHOULD I CHARGE THEM A $1.00 A YEAR FOR RENT?
Asked on September 23, 2010 under Real Estate Law, Washington
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
What you are worried about is them obtaining the right to the property through what is known as "adverse possession" which is what the term "squatters" has evolved in to. Adverse possession claims are different that the circumstances that you describe here. You have given permission for the friends to stay at the trailer. Under adverse possession it is against the rights of the true owners and without permission. Also, adverse possession takes a long time. And I believe that in Washington State it is 10 years. Having a lease agreement is not a bad idea in any event no matter what you are charging them. Setting out the rights and liabilities between you gives you a definite answer to questions that could strain a friendship later on. Like who prunes the trees or shovels the snow. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.