29 States Where Squatters Can Legally Steal Your Property

We often think of squatting as happening in other places, to different people. Places like California, where homelessness runs rampant and so-called tent cities have wreaked havoc on the urban landscape.

However, nearly every state in the union offers a set of legal rights for people who squat on someone else’s property. If you don’t know what laws protect squatters in your state and you own property that you seldom use, it’s a good idea to learn and understand what rights could eventually cost you the legal claim to your property.

No matter where you live in the United States, squatters could have rights that allow them to lay legal claim, in a court of law, to the property you purchased without needing to properly compensate you. We’ve given notice of just how easy it is in some states, through a process called adverse possession, for squatters to usurp you of your property, no matter how long you’ve owned it.

1. Washington D.C.

If you own a property in the nation’s capital that you don’t often make use of, consider checking it out regularly. By rights, squatters can legally claim your property after 15 years of continuous habitation.

There are specific maintenance laws squatters must meet to avoid a trespassing charge. However, the law may still be on the property owner’s side if the squatters did not meet the adverse possession requirements. If you’re a homeowner, it’s best to call law enforcement to help you deal with squatters on your property.

2. Alabama

Alabama used to adhere to adverse possession law, but thanks to Governor Kay Ivey, a new law that took effect June 2, 2024, squatters now have much less legal standing to reside on unused or abandoned property.

The new law, HB 182, gives homeowners a right to have an individual removed after 24 hours if they provide a sworn affidavit.

3. Kansas

Kansas requires squatters to reside continuously on a property for 15 years to make an adverse possession claim.

For squatters to lay claim to a property after the time limit, they must have made upgrades to the property to prove they intend to use it as their own. They must also pay the taxes on the property. If you want to prevent squatters in the Prairie State from taking your land, keep regular tabs on your property or rent it out through a property management firm.

4. Connecticut

Like most states in the U.S., a squatter does not need to pay taxes in Connecticut to claim adverse possession of a property after the 15-year residency limit.

However, if a squatter is serious about claiming a legal right to your property, they will pay all taxes and improve your home or land to show their intention to use the property for themselves. You can protect your land by checking on it regularly, renting it out, or living on it for a certain amount of time every couple of years or so.

5. Delaware

Delaware does require squatters to pay taxes and make improvements during their 20-year occupation of someone else’s abandoned, damaged, or otherwise vacant property.

These requirements will strengthen squatters’ rights to legally claim a property as their own. Homeowners who do not continually check on their property during 20 years will have a hard case to prove that they still want the land in question.

6. Michigan

In the Great Lakes State, squatters will need 15 years of continual occupation on a property to claim it under adverse possession.

If you are a squatter, you are not required to pay property taxes in Michigan on another’s property, but it may help strengthen your claim to the land and home.

7. Hawaii

Hawaii takes stricter considerations when dealing with squatters’ rights. The squatter in question must live continuously on the property and pay all taxes incurred during the 20-year period to claim legal rights to the property.

If they miss a payment or refuse to pay the taxes, they could nullify any legal claim they try to make.

8. Kentucky

Kentucky requires squatters to maintain the property they occupy and to make improvements as well. They must also pay all applicable taxes during their 15-year residency.

The Bluegrass State has no specific laws governing squatters’ rights, and consulting a lawyer is a good place to start if you’re dealing with a squatter on your property.

9. Virginia

In The Old Dominion, documentation is your friend, whether you’re the rightful owner or a trespasser. Squatters need 15 years of continuous occupancy to file a claim. Virginia courts do recognize the color of title and recorded claims of ownership.

Illegal tenants must show they’ve been living there, paying taxes, and have the physical proof to back up their claim.

10. Tennessee

Squatters must pay taxes on a property they intend to make legal claim on. They must also gain the color of title to the land and have continuous, open, and hostile occupation of the property. If they can accomplish this, they’ll only need seven years to strip your property rights from you.

It’s best to make regular visits to your land if you haven’t stopped by your property in a few years.

11. Illinois

The time it takes to claim squatter’s rights in Illinois may seem long at 20 years, but time waits for no man. At least, the German Saint Mahrer thought so.

Unique to Illinois, if a squatter pays property taxes and has the color of title to the property, they can make a legal claim after only seven years of continuous occupation.

12. Pennsylvania

Chok, full of history, Pennsylvania requires a 21-year commitment for squatters to be able to claim adverse possession of a property.

This state doesn’t require the squatter to pay taxes or make improvements to the property; however, it is encouraged to help with their claim. It’s important to note that Pennsylvania requires a squatter to notify the rightful owner of their adverse possession in writing.

13. Ohio

Time limits in the Buckeye State also stand at 20 years. Like most states, there is no requirement to pay taxes; however, keeping up with tax payments can help you claim legal ownership after the 20-year limitation ends.

While paying taxes and improving the property won’t shorten your need for continuous occupation, it can strengthen your claim in court. Courts in the state also recognize the Color of the Title.

14. Maine

Maine doesn’t give exclusive rights to squatters until they reach 20 years of continual residency on a property. Until such a time, they can be charged with trespassing if they’re caught by the homeowner.

However, once they reach that 20-year threshold, they can lay claim to a given property through adverse possession. If they’ve tried to beautify the property, don’t try to hide their occupancy, and are on the property without permission, they can often escape a trespassing charge, although there’s never a guarantee.

15. New Jersey

New Jersey has one of, if not the longest-term commitment for squatters of any state in the union. At 30 years, it’s hard to imagine anyone being able to claim adverse possession of a piece of property.

If you have a woodland or uncleared property, the time limit for squatters to claim adverse possession of your property is 60 years.

16. Nevada

It’ll take five years for squatters to usurp your ownership of a property in Nevada, but it can happen. They must be able to prove they’ve paid taxes on the property and that they intend to use the land as their own.

Nevada is one state that doesn’t honor a color of title claim or shorten the time frame for occupancy in this case.

17. Massachusetts

Bursting with the rich history of the first American settlements, Massachusetts allows squatters to lay claim to a property after 20 years of continuous occupation.

While paying taxes on a property will strengthen a squatter’s claim, it is not required. Upkeep of the property is also not a requirement, but it certainly won’t hurt a squatter’s claim to your land.

18. North Carolina

Squatters need two decades on a property in North Carolina to claim adverse possession. If you have a property in the state you don’t visit often, it might be worth a trip every two or three years.

If squatters can prove they’ve been paying taxes and making upgrades to a property that seems abandoned, they’ll have a leg to stand on to take your land.

19. South Carolina

In South Carolina, squatters only need a ten-year commitment of open and continuous occupation to claim property legally.

They must also pay taxes and prove an intent to use the land as their own, like upgrading the land or home. If a squatter can prove color of title, they will only need five years of occupancy before filing a claim for your land.

20. Maryland

Say goodbye to your seaside bungalow if you spend 20 years away without so much as a glance at your property.

Squatters do need two decades of uncontested residency on your land to claim it as their own. The color of the title isn’t required, nor is payment of taxes required. However, as in most cases, doing so will only strengthen a squatter’s claim to adverse possession.

21. Minnesota

In Minnesota, squatters need to live on your property for 15 years and are required to pay taxes for 5 of those years. They are not required to have a color of title. However, it would likely strengthen their case of legally claiming your land as their own.

If you want to keep squatters from stealing your property, visiting every couple of years is good. If you hire someone to manage your property when you’re not in residence, it’s still good to visit every three to five years to ensure your property is how you left it.

22. New Hampshire

Adverse Possession claims in New Hampshire require 20 years of continuous residency. Squatters are not required to pay taxes or upkeep the property, but both instances can bolster their claim to your property.

If you find your land inhabited by squatters, you’ll need to serve them with written notice to quit. If the squatter is present, calling the police is recommended.

23. Oklahoma

Oklahoma does recognize the color of title claims by squatters who’ve continuously occupied your property for 15 years. Squatters must also prove continuous control over the property and payment of taxes to boost their claim of adverse possession.

Oklahoma relies heavily on documentation in real estate cases, so if you’re a property owner, having a deed or title in your name would help solidify your right to the property.

24. Wyoming

In Wyoming, a squatter does not have to pay taxes or have a color of title on a property, although it certainly won’t hurt their adverse possession claim.

They have to live ten consecutive years on a property to make a legal claim, although, at any time during those ten years, the rightful property owner can evict them with due process.

25. Wisconsin

Squatters in Wisconsin who hope to claim adverse possession must live on a property continuously in an open, notorious, and hostile manner for 20 years before making a legal claim.

However, if they have the color of title, that timeframe gets slashed to 7 years, and paying taxes and improving the property all help strengthen their claim to a property. If you own land in Wisconsin, it’s best to make regular, unannounced visits to ensure your property remains in your possession.

26. South Dakota

South Dakota doesn’t have any real protections for squatters. However, like other states, their adverse possession laws allow squatters to lay claim to land or property abandoned for 20 years or more.

This time requirement drops to 10 years if they can prove the color of the title and payment of taxes on the land. If you own land in South Dakota, you’ll need to send a notice to quit and follow up with a 30-day notice to quit to start the removal process.

27. West Virginia

In June 2024, squatters’ rights took a serious hit. Squatting became a criminal act, subject to removal by law enforcement. West Virginia is one of five states that enacted laws to make it harder for squatters to remain on property for the required length of time.

Still, if you own real estate in West Virginia that you haven’t checked on in recent memory, it’s a good idea to have a friend stroll by to see about your property. Squatters only need 15 years of continuous occupation to make a claim of adverse possession of your property.

28. Washington

If your property sits unused and untended for a decade, you could lose it to squatters. If they can prove the color of the title, they can take it in as little as seven years in Washington State.

The state requires them to pay taxes on the land and meet the five general rules for adverse possession. To make a legal claim, they must prove hostile, actual, open, notorious, exclusive, and continuous possession.

29. Vermont

Under adverse possession in Vermont, the time limit to lay claim to a property is 15 years. Squatters must make major upgrades to the property, including the home, fencing, gardens, septic systems, and any outbuildings. Minor upkeep does not qualify for squatters to claim a property.

Police can arrest you for squatting in Vermont and charge you with a misdemeanor. However, if squatters meet the 15-year minimum, the case becomes a civil matter instead of a criminal case.