Squatting is the action of occupying an abandoned or unoccupied area of land or a building, usually residential, that the squatter does not own, rent or otherwise have lawful permission to use. The United Nations estimated in 2003 that there were one billion slum residents and squatters globally.

What is a squatter US history?

Squatters were people who illegally moved onto unoccupied land along the frontier and claimed that land as their own. In many cases, squatters had little money and could not afford to buy land legally. Since the land was uninhabited, squatters often felt that anyone had a right to it.

What can you legally do to a squatter?

An eviction notice is also known as an 'Unlawful Detainer' action in some states, which is a legal way to evict the squatter. File a lawsuit if the squatter refuses to leave. You may want to use a real estate attorney who specializes in residential evictions to make sure that you follow the correct legal process.