Homeowners score victory against squatters in New York after landlord handcuffed in $1M home heist

The "optics" of a homeowner handcuffed after changing the locks on a squatter in her Queens home worth $1 million pushed New York lawmakers to enact a harsh new law to protect property owners, a real estate attorney told Fox News Digital.

A portion of New York's 2024 state budget agreement, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul Monday, specifically excludes squatters from tenant protections under state law. 

The language defines a squatter as someone staying on a property without permission from its owner or the owner's representative. This wording, lawmakers said, will make it easier for police to intervene in squatting cases, sparing homeowners months or even years in housing court.

State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton said "no one should return home to find their property seized by squatters, who now have more rights on their property than they do.

"For too long, my constituents have grappled with the current reality where individuals unlawfully occupy their spaces without any recourse. We witness distressing scenarios unfold in the news week after week — hardworking homeowners facing legal repercussions for rightfully reclaiming their own property from individuals who brazenly occupy it without consent." 

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