Florida Squatters and Adverse Possession Rules

F.S. 82.036 82.036 Limited alternative remedy to remove unauthorized persons from residential real property. — (1) The Legislature finds that the right to exclude others from entering, and the right to direct others to immediately vacate, residential real property are the most important real property rights. The Legislature further finds that existing remedies regarding unauthorized persons who unlawfully remain on residential real property fail to adequately protect the rights of the property owner and fail to adequately discourage theft and vandalism. The intent of this section is to quickly restore possession of residential real property to the lawful owner of the property when the property is being unlawfully occupied and to thereby preserve property rights while limiting the opportunity for criminal activity. (2) A property owner or his or her authorized agent may request from the sheriff of the county in which the property is located the immediate removal of a person or persons unlawfully occupying a residential dwelling pursuant to this section if all of the following conditions are met: (a) The requesting person is the property owner or authorized agent of the property owner. (b) The real property that is being occupied includes a residential dwelling. (c) An unauthorized person or persons have unlawfully entered and remain or continue to reside on the property owner’s property.