Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California
squatting
There are two houses across the street from my apartment complex that have been vacant for over two years now, except for a few months when there were squatters. The squatters were aed not for squatting but for drug use and trafficing. The houses were in fair condition but are now falling victim to urban decay. The question in mind is if I were to go this property and renovate one of these houses for my own use, what legal ramifications might there be, should the rightful owner, or the government, in the case that it has been foreclosed, come claim it?
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: squatting
As Mr. Stone has pointed out, there are many more negatives than positives to adverse possession.
Don't do it!
Re: squatting
If you occupy the property for four years, continuously, and pay the taxes on it, it's yours. Please google ["adverse possession" california] for more information and other possible requirements.
Re: squatting
Adverse possession requires five years of open, obvious occupation, not four. The other legal ramifications are that you would be subject to a lawsuit for trespass and damages for any changes done to the property- even if they are what you consider improvements. Furthermore, adverse possession- which involves a forfeiture of property, is not favored by the courts and difficult to establish and win.
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