Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.

Rhode Island Bill Summary: Squatter Removal and Property Owner Protections

This bill creates a legal definition for "squatter" in Rhode Island and establishes a process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants from their property. Under the bill, a squatter is defined as someone living in a home or dwelling unit without permission from the property owner, landlord, or an authorized tenant. Currently, the process for removing such individuals can be complicated, often requiring property owners to go through lengthy court proceedings even when someone has no legal right to be on the property.

The bill gives property owners clearer and more direct options for dealing with squatters, including the ability to request assistance from local police to remove the unauthorized occupant. This means law enforcement could become involved in removing squatters more quickly, rather than property owners having to rely solely on civil court processes that can take weeks or months to resolve.

This bill primarily affects property owners and landlords in Rhode Island who may discover unauthorized individuals living in their homes or rental units — a situation that can result in property damage and financial loss. It could also affect people who are currently occupying a property without a lease or formal permission. It is worth noting that this bill specifically targets individuals with no legal claim to the property, and would not apply to tenants who have a lease or other recognized legal right to occupy a dwelling, who are still protected under existing landlord-tenant law.

The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.