Not a new problem. And it can be serious.
Why would someone not take measures, forceful armed ones, to get someone out of their property? perhaps because they don't want to spend time in jail, lose their job, have to mortgage the house a second time to pay the legal fees, etc.
If the squatters are smart, they've got signed lease agreements. You call coppers, they come, see the lease agreement and it is now a civil matter and not a trespassing case.
Good number of vacation properties, second home type deals around here. Local deputies tell me they are targets of squatters. That and them moving and RV or trailer onto a vacant lot. If the squatters have paperwork, the deputies cannot, by law, remove or trespass them.
Just a way of life for some.
I guess if you're an actual legal renter, it's nice to know that if you have a one year lease the owner doesn't come back in three months and try to get you out. But it works against folks sometimes too.
