In late May, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law Tennessee’s new anti-squatting legislation – which the legislature passed last month. The new law will take effect on July 1, 2024. In a news report about the issue, WTVC Chattanooga says squatters do not have rights in Tennessee, but this new law will establish and expedite the removal process. Before the measure, property owners had to begin a judicial eviction when they encounter squatters in their home which could take months.
“They enter your property, change the locks. You try to get them out, they then claim you leased it, the sheriff can’t make that decision at the house, so it becomes a civil matter where you have to take them to court. Well, it could literally take months,” said State Rep. Tim Rudd.
“This law will finally give property owners a summary process to remove an authorized person in possession of property ‘squatter’ where the squatter never had any legitimate right to the possession to occupancy of the property.” Memphis Investors Group Vice President, Joe Kirkland.
Click here to read the full story at WTVC Chattanooga.
Hat tip to Joe!
