Squatters, Trespassers, and Unauthorized Occupants: A California Landlord Guide

Discovering that someone is living in your rental property without permission can be alarming. Before changing the locks or demanding that the person leave immediately, California landlords need to determine who the occupant is, how that person entered, and whether they are claiming any right to remain. Squatters, trespassers, former tenants, unauthorized guests, and subtenants may look similar at first, but each situation can require a different response.

Key Takeaways

California does not have a general law that automatically makes a squatter a tenant after 30 days.
Adverse possession generally requires at least five years of continuous possession, along with strict additional requirements, including payment of property taxes.
A trespasser, squatter, holdover tenant, and unauthorized guest may require different removal procedures.
A California 602 trespass letter can help law enforcement address trespassing at qualifying properties, but it does not resolve legitimate disputes over tenancy or ownership.
Landlords should not change locks, disconnect utilities, remove belongings, or physically force an occupant out.
Documentation, regular inspections, secure access, and prompt action can help landlords protect vacant rental properties.
When an occupant refuses to leave, the landlord may need to recover possession through an unlawful detainer or another appropriate court proceeding

Squatters, Trespassers, and Unauthorized Occupants: A California Landlord Guide

Table of Contents

What Is a Squatter in California?
Squatters, Trespassers, Tenants, and Unauthorized Occupants
Do Squatters Gain Rights After 30 Days?
How Adverse Possession Works in California
California Trespass Laws and 602 Letters
What to Do When You Discover an Unauthorized Occupant
How California Landlords Can Recover Possession
What Landlords Should Never Do
Common Unauthorized Occupancy Scenarios
How to Protect a Vacant Rental Property
Landlord Response Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts for California Landlords

What Is a Squatter in California?

A squatter is generally understood as someone who occupies real property without the owner’s permission and without a lease, rental agreement, ownership interest, or other lawful right to possession.

The word “squatter” is useful in everyday conversation, but the label alone does not determine what a landlord can do. The facts surrounding the occupancy are more important. A person who entered an abandoned building without permission may be treated differently from someone who originally entered as a guest, caretaker, roommate, or tenant.

Unauthorized occupancy can arise in several ways. Someone may break into a vacant rental, remain after the authorized tenant moves out, move in as an unapproved guest, or claim to have rented the property from someone impersonating the owner. A house sitter or caretaker might also refuse to leave after permission has been withdrawn.

These situations may all involve an unauthorized occupant, but they do not necessarily follow the same legal process. California landlords should first establish how the person entered and whether anyone connected to the property gave them permission.

Squatters, Trespassers, Tenants, and Unauthorized Occupants

Identifying the occupant’s possible status is one of the most important early steps. A mistaken assumption can lead to an incorrect notice, an unsuccessful court case, or an unlawful lockout claim.

Squatter vs. trespasser

A trespasser is someone who enters or remains on property without authorization. Trespassing may be brief, such as entering a secured yard, or it may continue for a longer period.

The term “squatter” typically describes a person who has established an ongoing presence at a property without the owner’s permission. The person may sleep there, store belongings, receive mail, connect utilities, or otherwise behave as if the property were their residence.

Both situations may involve unlawful entry or occupancy. However, when someone appears to have established a residence or presents documents claiming a right to possession, law enforcement may be unable to resolve the dispute immediately.

Squatter vs. tenant

A tenant usually occupies property through a rental agreement or another recognized rental arrangement. Although written leases provide strong evidence of a tenancy, not every tenancy begins with a formal written agreement.

Permission, acceptance of rent, text messages, emails, verbal agreements, and the conduct of the parties may all become relevant. This is why a landlord should not assume that an occupant is legally a squatter simply because the person’s name does not appear on a written lease.

For example, an owner may discover that a family member, employee, property manager, or authorized tenant allowed the person to move in. The arrangement may have violated the lease, but that does not necessarily make the person identical to someone who broke into an empty property.

Unauthorized guests and roommates

An unauthorized guest may be staying in violation of a lease provision, but the guest’s status can depend on the circumstances. Important questions include:

Who invited the person into the property?
How long has the person been staying there?
Does the original tenant still live in the unit?
Has the landlord communicated directly with the occupant?
Has the landlord accepted money from that person?
Did anyone promise the occupant that they could remain?
Is the occupant claiming to be a subtenant or cotenant?

A tenant’s unauthorized roommate is not always handled in the same manner as a stranger occupying a completely vacant home. Landlords should review the lease, payment records, communications, and complete occupancy history before selecting a course of action.

Holdover occupants

A former tenant who remains after a lease ends is commonly described as a holdover tenant. A former tenant is not transformed into a squatter simply because the lease expired or the landlord terminated the tenancy.

Likewise, someone who entered with permission as a caretaker, guest, or house sitter may require a different analysis after that permission ends. The original relationship between the owner and occupant remains relevant.

Do Squatters Gain Rights After 30 Days in California?

One of the most common myths about squatters’ rights in California is that an unauthorized occupant automatically becomes a tenant after 30 days. California has no general rule that creates a tenancy solely because someone remained inside a residential property for one month.

The misconception may come from rules involving certain hotel guests, lodging arrangements, or month-to-month tenancies. Those rules should not be automatically applied to someone who entered a house or apartment without authorization.

Thirty days of occupancy also does not give someone ownership of the property. Ownership through adverse possession requires far more than remaining in a building for a particular number of days.

Why the length of occupancy still matters

Although the passage of 30 days does not automatically create a tenancy, the length and nature of the occupancy may still affect how the situation develops.

A person who was found immediately after entering through a broken window presents a clearer trespass situation than someone who has lived at the property openly for several months, receives mail there, possesses keys, and presents a purported lease.

The longer an unauthorized person remains, the more complicated the factual record may become. The occupant may claim that permission was given, rent was paid, or a verbal agreement existed. Police officers may refer the parties to civil court if they cannot determine the right to possession at the scene.

That does not mean the occupant has gained ownership or automatically become a tenant. It means the dispute may require formal evidence and a court decision.

Mail and utilities do not automatically create rights

Unauthorized occupants sometimes receive mail, place utility accounts in their names, or use the property address on identification documents. These actions can show that the person is physically occupying the property, but they do not independently create ownership or a valid lease.

Landlords should still preserve evidence of these activities. They may help establish when the occupancy began, how openly the person was living there, and what representations the occupant made.

How Adverse Possession Works in California

Discussions about California squatter laws often confuse adverse possession with the right to remain in a rental property. These are different concepts.

Adverse possession is a legal doctrine through which someone may attempt to establish ownership of property after satisfying every required element for a specific period. It is not an automatic protection granted to anyone who occupies an empty home.

California’s adverse possession requirements

A person generally must establish several elements to claim property through adverse possession in California:

Actual possession: The claimant must physically possess and use the property in a manner consistent with ownership.
Open and notorious possession: The possession must be visible and apparent. It cannot be entirely hidden from the legal owner.
Hostile possession: The occupation must be adverse to the owner’s rights rather than based on the owner’s permission.
Exclusive possession: The claimant must possess the property without sharing possession with the true owner or the general public.
Continuous possession: The required possession must continue for at least five consecutive years.
Payment of property taxes: The claimant must timely pay the qualifying state, county, and municipal property taxes levied and assessed on the property during the five-year period.

The five-year occupancy and property-tax requirements appear in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 325.

Five years alone is not enough

Living at a property continuously for five years does not automatically make the occupant its owner. All required elements must be satisfied.

Property-tax payment is an especially significant obstacle for most adverse possession claims. Paying utilities, making repairs, receiving mail, maintaining the landscaping, or paying someone who claims to be the landlord is not the same as timely paying the property taxes assessed against the property.

A person asserting adverse possession may also need to pursue a court action to establish the claimed interest. Until then, the recorded property owner does not simply lose title because five years have passed.

How landlords can reduce adverse possession risks

Landlords can protect their ownership interests by remaining actively involved with their properties. Useful precautions include:

Paying property taxes on time.
Inspecting vacant properties regularly.
Keeping dated inspection records.
Maintaining visible ownership and management contact information.
Responding promptly to signs of unauthorized entry.
Preserving photographs, videos, notices, and police reports.
Documenting any permission given to caretakers, guests, or vendors.
Putting temporary property-access arrangements in writing.
Obtaining assistance if an occupant asserts an ownership interest.

Prompt action helps create a clear record that the owner did not abandon the property or ignore an adverse claim.

California Trespass Laws and 602 Letters

California Penal Code Section 602 addresses several forms of trespassing. One provision covers entering and occupying real property or structures without the consent of the owner, the owner’s agent, or the person in lawful possession.

Trespass law can help in cases involving obvious unauthorized entry. However, criminal trespass enforcement and civil recovery of possession are not the same process.

What is a California 602 trespass letter?

A California 602 trespass letter is a written request authorizing law enforcement to address trespassing when the owner, the owner’s agent, or the person in lawful possession is absent.

Depending on the local agency, it may also be called:

A no-trespass letter.
A trespass authorization.
A trespass arrest authorization.
A letter of agency.
A request for peace officer assistance.

A 602 letter can be particularly useful for vacant rentals, construction sites, buildings temporarily closed to the public, and properties that cannot be monitored continuously.

How long does a 602 letter remain valid?

Under the current version of California Penal Code Section 602, certain requests may remain valid for the shorter of the period established by local ordinance or 12 months. The request must identify the specific dates during which assistance is authorized.

The statute also allows qualifying requests involving property closed and posted as closed to remain effective for up to 12 months. The authorization expires when ownership of the property or lawful possession changes.

The statute permits electronic submission, but local governments decide whether they will accept requests electronically. Landlords should contact the police department or sheriff’s department with jurisdiction over the property and use that agency’s current form.

Common requirements for trespass authorizations

The specific procedure can vary by agency, but a landlord may be asked to provide:

The property address.
Proof of ownership or authority to act for the owner.
Current contact information.
A notarized signature.
The requested authorization dates.
Information about whether the property is vacant or closed.
Confirmation that required signs have been posted.
An agreement to notify the agency when authorization is no longer needed.

Landlords should calendar the expiration date and verify whether the agency requires a new form, new notarization, or updated signage for renewal.

What a 602 letter cannot do

A trespass authorization does not determine whether someone is a tenant, resolve a title dispute, or replace a court order when formal possession proceedings are necessary.

If the occupant presents a plausible lease, claims prior permission, identifies a rental payment history, or asserts another right to possession, officers may treat the matter as a civil dispute. The landlord may then need to use an unlawful detainer action or another appropriate court procedure.

A 602 letter is a preventive and enforcement tool, but it is not a guaranteed method for removing every unauthorized occupant.

What to Do When You Discover an Unauthorized Occupant

A fast response is important, but it should also be careful and organized. The landlord’s first objective should be to establish the facts without creating additional risk.

Start with safety

Landlords should avoid entering an occupied property or confronting unknown occupants alone. If there is an active break-in, violence, fire, suspected burglary, or another emergency, contact emergency services.

For a nonemergency situation, contact the local law-enforcement agency and provide accurate information. Explain what was observed, whether the property should be vacant, and whether there are signs of forced entry or property damage.

Do not exaggerate the circumstances or conceal a prior relationship with the occupant. Accurate information helps law enforcement determine what authority it may have.

Verify ownership and occupancy records

Collect documents showing ownership and the history of the property, including:

The recorded deed or other proof of ownership.
Current and prior leases.
Rental applications.
Rent ledgers and payment records.
Move-in and move-out documentation.
Notices previously served.
Communications with current and former tenants.
Information about guests, roommates, contractors, or caretakers.
Property-management agreements.
Records showing who possesses keys or access codes.

Speak with the authorized tenant, former tenant, property manager, or other relevant individuals. Determine whether anyone allowed the occupant to enter.

Document what you observe

Create a written timeline beginning with the date the property was last known to be secure. Include inspection dates, reports from neighbors, communications, and the date the unauthorized occupancy was discovered.

Landlords may also preserve:

Photographs of visible damage.
Images of changed locks or broken windows.
Lawfully obtained surveillance recordings.
Copies of online rental advertisements.
Messages involving the occupant.
Police report or incident numbers.
Utility or maintenance irregularities.
Names and contact information for witnesses.

Documentation should be collected from lawful locations. An owner should not enter an occupied dwelling without considering California’s access and privacy requirements merely because the owner believes the occupant is unauthorized.

Determine what the occupant claims

An occupant might say that they:

Signed a lease with the owner.
Rented the property from an agent.
Paid rent to a former tenant.
Were invited by the current tenant.
Worked as a caretaker.
Inherited an interest in the property.
Purchased the property.
Have lived there long enough to claim adverse possession.

These statements do not necessarily establish a valid right to possession. However, they can affect whether law enforcement will intervene and which court procedure the landlord should consider.

Preserve any document the person presents, even when it appears fraudulent. Do not destroy, alter, or seize the original.

Avoid accepting money without evaluating the consequences

If an unauthorized occupant offers to pay rent, the landlord should be cautious. Accepting payment or entering an informal agreement could create factual disputes about permission or tenancy.

A quick payment may seem like a temporary solution, but it can complicate the landlord’s position. The proposed arrangement should be reviewed before money is accepted or promises are made.

How California Landlords Can Recover Possession

There is no single notice or procedure that applies to every unauthorized occupant in California. The appropriate process depends on the individual’s history, how possession began, and whether the person has a legitimate or colorable claim to remain.

Selecting the appropriate notice

Written notice may be required before filing an unlawful detainer action. The type and content of the notice depend on the facts.

Important considerations include:

Whether the occupant was ever a tenant.
Whether rent was accepted.
Whether permission was given.
Whether a former tenancy was properly terminated.
Whether the occupant entered as a guest, employee, or caretaker.
Whether the original tenant remains in possession.
Whether the property is subject to local eviction restrictions.
Whether the occupant is claiming ownership.

Using the wrong notice can result in delay, dismissal, and additional expense. Landlords should not select a three-day, 30-day, or 60-day notice simply because an online article calls the occupant a squatter.

Filing an unlawful detainer action

An unlawful detainer is the court process commonly used to recover possession of real property. If the required notice expires and the occupant remains, the landlord may file a case in the California Superior Court serving the property’s location.

The landlord must generally establish the right to possession and compliance with the applicable procedural requirements. This may include presenting the lease, ownership records, notice, proof of service, payment records, and evidence concerning the occupant’s status.

California Courts provides general information about the unlawful detainer process.

When the occupant disputes the case

An unauthorized occupant may respond to the lawsuit by alleging:

Permission from the owner or an agent.
A written or oral rental agreement.
Payment or attempted payment of rent.
Improper notice.
Improper service.
Fraud by a third party.
A subtenancy or cotenancy.
An ownership interest.
Adverse possession.
Mistaken identity or an incorrect property description.

A fabricated lease does not necessarily defeat the owner’s case. However, disputed evidence must be handled through the proper legal process.

Judgment and writ of possession

If the landlord prevails, the court may enter a judgment for possession and issue a writ of possession. The writ authorizes the sheriff to carry out the physical eviction.

The landlord should wait until the sheriff completes the removal before changing the locks or taking control of the occupied premises. Personal property left behind must also be handled according to the applicable requirements.

Winning a judgment does not give the owner permission to personally force the occupant out.

What Landlords Should Never Do

California landlords should avoid self-help eviction methods, even when they strongly believe the occupant has no legitimate right to remain.

Do not change the locks

Changing or disabling locks while someone occupies the property can create an unlawful lockout dispute. The same concern applies to blocking entrances, boarding occupied doors, or preventing the person from retrieving belongings.

Do not disconnect utilities

Landlords should not shut off water, electricity, gas, heat, or other essential services to pressure an occupant to leave. This remains risky even when the utility account is in the owner’s name.

Do not remove personal belongings

Furniture, clothing, documents, and other belongings should not be placed outside, discarded, or sold simply because the landlord considers the person a squatter.

The treatment of property left after a lawful recovery of possession is different from removing belongings while an occupant remains in possession.

Do not use threats or physical force

An owner should not threaten, intimidate, harass, or physically remove an occupant. These actions can create safety concerns, civil claims, criminal allegations, and problems in the eventual possession case.

Do not create unlivable conditions

Removing doors, breaking windows, beginning disruptive construction, or deliberately allowing unsafe conditions to continue should not be used as a strategy for forcing someone out.

California courts emphasize that a landlord cannot personally carry out an eviction. After the court process is completed, the sheriff performs the physical removal.

Common Unauthorized Occupancy Scenarios

The distinction between a squatter, trespasser, and unauthorized occupant becomes clearer when examining how these situations arise.

Someone broke into a vacant rental

Signs of forced entry, a recently broken lock, and immediate discovery may support a report of trespass, burglary, vandalism, or another crime. The landlord should contact law enforcement, preserve evidence, and provide proof that the property was supposed to be vacant.

If the occupant establishes a longer-term presence or presents documents claiming possession, the situation may require additional investigation or a court proceeding.

A former tenant left someone behind

A landlord may believe that the tenancy ended, only to discover that a roommate, relative, or guest remains in the unit.

Before treating that person as a stranger, the landlord should determine:

Whether the former tenant surrendered possession.
Whether the remaining occupant paid rent.
Whether the landlord communicated with the occupant.
Whether the occupant was disclosed during the tenancy.
Whether the original lease addressed guests or subletting.
Whether the person claims permission from the owner or manager.

The remaining person’s status may affect the notice and court procedure.

A rental scam victim presents a lease

Scammers sometimes advertise properties they do not own, collect deposits, and give victims keys or access instructions. The renter may believe the transaction was legitimate even though the actual owner never authorized it.

The landlord should preserve the fraudulent listing, lease, communications, payment details, and access information. The scam should be reported to the relevant platform and law enforcement.

A person’s claim that they were deceived does not automatically give them a right to remain, but it can make immediate removal more complicated.

A caretaker or house sitter refuses to leave

A caretaker, contractor, employee, friend, or house sitter may have entered with permission. Once that permission is withdrawn, the person’s continued occupancy can become unauthorized.

Because the initial entry was permitted, the case may differ from a break-in. Written agreements should clearly describe the purpose and duration of access, whether overnight occupancy is permitted, and when possession must be returned.

Someone claims adverse possession

A claim of adverse possession should be documented and taken seriously, but it should not be accepted at face value.

The landlord should gather:

The recorded deed.
Property-tax records.
Inspection and maintenance records.
Insurance documents.
Communications with the claimant.
Evidence showing when the owner first learned of the occupancy.
Proof of the owner’s continued use or control of the property.

The landlord should avoid debating ownership at the property or taking physical action against the claimant. A dispute involving title may require procedures beyond a routine eviction.

An unauthorized occupant is discovered in an HOA property

When a separately owned condominium or planned-development unit is occupied without authorization, the legal owner usually remains central to recovering possession.

An HOA may document governing-document violations, address nuisance activity, secure common areas, and notify the owner. However, the association should not assume that it can remove someone from a privately owned unit, shut off essential services, or restrict access in a manner that interferes with legal occupancy rights.

The board should preserve incident records and coordinate with the owner, management, law enforcement, and the association’s legal counsel.

How to Protect a Vacant Rental Property

Preventing unauthorized occupancy is usually less expensive than recovering possession after someone has moved in. California landlords should combine physical security, active monitoring, and good recordkeeping.

Strengthen physical security

After a lawful turnover, rekey exterior doors and remove old access codes. Inspect windows, gates, garages, crawl spaces, utility rooms, and secondary entrances.

Vacant properties should have:

Working exterior locks.
Secured windows.
Adequate exterior lighting.
Locked garages and storage areas.
Fencing or gates where appropriate.
Visible address numbers.
Clearly posted signs when required.
No hidden or abandoned keys.

Landlords should repair evidence of attempted entry promptly. A broken window or damaged lock can make a property appear abandoned and vulnerable.

Conduct regular inspections

A vacant rental should not go unobserved for long periods. Landlords can schedule periodic visits or hire a local property manager when the property is far away.

Keep a dated inspection log that records:

The date and time of the visit.
The person who performed the inspection.
The condition of doors and windows.
Signs of occupancy or attempted entry.
Utility-meter activity.
Vehicles or belongings not associated with the owner.
Repairs completed or requested.
Photographs taken during the visit.

Consistent records can help establish when an unauthorized entry occurred.

Monitor rental advertisements

Fraudulent listings can expose both landlords and prospective renters to harm. Search for the property address periodically, especially while the home is vacant or under renovation.

Remove outdated listings and report advertisements created without authorization. Preserve screenshots, URLs, contact information, and payment instructions before requesting removal.

Use written access agreements

Anyone given temporary access should receive clear written instructions. This includes caretakers, contractors, vendors, house sitters, and family members.

The agreement should identify:

Why access is being provided.
The dates access begins and ends.
Whether overnight stays are permitted.
Who may enter the property.
Whether keys can be copied.
When keys and access devices must be returned.
That the arrangement does not create a rental agreement, when applicable.

Clear documentation can reduce later disputes about what permission was granted.

Consider a 602 trespass authorization

Landlords with qualifying vacant properties should ask the local police or sheriff’s department whether it offers a trespass-authorization program.

Use the agency’s current form, satisfy its notarization and posting requirements, and calendar the expiration date. Confirm whether a new authorization is required after a transfer of ownership or a change in lawful possession.

Maintain proper insurance

Standard landlord policies may impose additional conditions or limitations when a property remains vacant. Inform the insurance carrier when required and confirm whether vandalism, theft, water damage, and unauthorized occupancy are covered.

Maintain records showing inspections and security measures. These documents may be important if a claim arises.

Landlord Response Checklist

When an unauthorized occupant is discovered, a California landlord can use the following checklist to organize the initial response:

Confirm the correct property address and unit.
Determine whether the property should be vacant.
Review current and prior leases.
Ask whether anyone gave the occupant permission.
Gather the deed and other proof of ownership.
Preserve photographs, video, communications, and witness information.
Create a written timeline.
Report immediate threats or suspected crimes to law enforcement.
Ask whether a valid 602 trespass authorization is already on file.
Identify what right, if any, the occupant claims.
Avoid accepting money or signing an agreement without reviewing the consequences.
Determine the appropriate notice and court procedure.
Avoid changing locks, disconnecting utilities, or removing belongings.
Keep copies of all notices and proofs of service.
Allow the sheriff to enforce any writ of possession.
Secure and document the property after lawful recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Squatters’ Rights in California

Do squatters become tenants after 30 days in California?

No general California law automatically creates a tenancy simply because an unauthorized person remains at a residential property for 30 days.

Permission, rent payments, agreements, prior tenancy, and the parties’ conduct may affect how the occupant is classified. The number of days alone does not decide the issue.

Can the police immediately remove a squatter?

Law enforcement may intervene when the facts clearly establish trespass, burglary, vandalism, or another crime. Immediate removal becomes less certain when the occupant presents a lease, alleges prior permission, or asserts another plausible right to possession.

In a disputed residential occupancy case, the landlord may be directed to recover possession through the courts.

Can a landlord change the locks on a squatter?

Changing the locks while the person is occupying the property can expose the landlord to an unlawful lockout claim. When possession is disputed, the safer course is to determine the proper legal procedure and allow the sheriff to carry out any court-ordered removal.

How long must someone occupy property to claim adverse possession?

California adverse possession generally requires at least five consecutive years of qualifying possession. The claimant must also satisfy every other element, including timely payment of the applicable property taxes during the statutory period.

Five years of occupancy by itself does not transfer ownership.

Does receiving mail create tenancy?

Receiving mail at an address does not independently create a tenancy or ownership interest. It may show that someone is occupying the property, but the entire history of the relationship must be considered.

Does putting utilities in an occupant’s name give them rights?

A utility account may provide evidence that a person lives at the property. It does not automatically establish a lease, lawful possession, or adverse possession.

Can a squatter gain ownership by maintaining the property?

Repairs, landscaping, utility payments, and maintenance do not independently establish adverse possession. The claimant must meet all of California’s requirements, including the five-year period and timely payment of qualifying property taxes.

Does a 602 letter replace an eviction case?

No. A California 602 trespass letter can authorize law-enforcement assistance in qualifying circumstances, but it does not resolve a legitimate dispute over tenancy, possession, or title.

Is there a special fast removal process under SB 448?

No. Senate Bill 448 proposed a law-enforcement procedure for removing certain squatters from residential property, but the proposal did not become law. Its legislative status was marked failed on February 2, 2026.

California landlords should rely on current law and should not use the procedure described in the unsuccessful bill.

What happens to belongings left after removal?

Landlords should not automatically throw away property left at the rental. California has procedures governing personal property remaining after a tenancy or recovery of possession. The required notices and handling process depend on the circumstances and value of the property.

Final Thoughts for California Landlords

Squatters’ rights in California are often misunderstood. An unauthorized occupant does not automatically become a tenant after 30 days, and someone does not gain ownership merely by living at a property for five years. Adverse possession requires every statutory element, including qualifying possession and timely payment of property taxes.

The more immediate concern for most landlords is identifying the occupant correctly and recovering possession without creating an illegal lockout dispute. A stranger who recently broke into a vacant home may present a different situation from a former tenant, unauthorized roommate, caretaker, or rental scam victim.

Landlords can place themselves in a stronger position by inspecting vacant properties, maintaining accurate records, securing access points, using local trespass-authorization programs when appropriate, and responding promptly to signs of unauthorized occupancy. When court action is necessary, careful documentation and the correct procedure can help protect the property and avoid unnecessary delays.