If you’ve been watching the news recently, you’ve undoubtedly seen the havoc caused by squatters claiming their lawful rights to remain in place. This has become a national phenomenon and has taken center stage in New York in the past several months.

Scott M. Smiler, partner at Gallet Dreyer & Berkey. Courtesy Photo

The squatter stories run the gambit. A property owner in Flushing was arrested for changing the locks on a vacant house she owned after she found two men camping out inside. A family in Douglaston claimed a squatter living in their newly purchased $2 million home refused to leave. Police in Rockaway arrested an alleged squatter in a house full of malnourished animals and illegal drugs. A squatter in Dyker Heights allegedly started a fire causing $900,000 in damage. Most troubling, a woman was murdered in Kips Bay after walking in on what police describe as a pair of teen squatters who had been staying in her late mother’s vacant condo.