Out to squash squatters

Bills would protect homeowner rights

State lawmakers are pushing a flurry of bills on squatters, declaring enough is enough after a series of home takeovers in the Big Apple and elsewhere.

“There have unfortunately been several instances of squatters attempting to — or even succeeding — in taking over private homes,” Sen. John Liu (D-Queens) told The Post on Wednesday.

“It’s been captured quite vividly by the media, including [The Post], that has brought to our attention a problem.”

Liu introduced Senate Bill 8996 April 8 which was sponsored by more than half a dozen senators.

Language from Liu’s bill was included in the $237 billion budget agreement enacted over the weekend.

Liu said the legislation was “simple and crystal clear. Squatters are not tenants, squatters are people who intrude on private property without authorization from the owners, their representatives, or tenants.”

Squatters had been able to claim tenants’ rights after just 30 days of occupancy under New York City law. Liu (inset) said the legislation gives property owners new legal avenues.

“We’ll continue to look for stronger protections for homeowners while not jeopardizing legitimate tenants,” he said.

Speaking to reporters after a speech touting her housing package Tuesday, Gov. Hochul said the recent changes were enacted “because it makes sense.”

“We’ve addressed this crisis so squatters do not have the same rights as tenants. That is firm. They can be prosecuted, and there will be consequences for them, so that is the message that should go out there.”

She added, “I appreciate the media’s efforts in this space and it calls attention to a problem that has been there . . . So I’m really proud that we can deliver for people.”

The squatter problem has become a rare instance in which Republican and Democratic lawmakers find themselves in agreement.

‘Pro-criminal mindset’

Earlier this month, Sen. Mario Mattera (R-Suffolk) introduced a four-part legislative proposal he dubbed the “War on Squatting,” which would allow cops to evict squatters on the spot based on a sworn complaint from a homeowner, without requiring them to go to court.

“With the continued lack of support for law enforcement and a pro-criminal mindset, we have seen an epidemic rise in squatting,” Mattera said. “It is overwhelmingly obvious that the laws of this state fall way short of addressing the squatter issue.”

Mattera said the proposal “seeks to reverse the current trend that favors squatters and trespassers over homeowners.”

His bill would also make squatting a crime prosecuted under criminal trespass in the third degree, a measure also favored by Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, (R-Oyster Bay) in his own antisquatter proposal.

Blumencranz’s bill would raise the time period required before squatters can attempt to claim tenancy rights from 30 days to 45 days.

“We’re already going to start seeing both district attorneys and police take these situations more seriously,” he told The Post. “Our hope is people will start thinking twice before they squat, because they won’t be afforded the tenancy rights they were traditionally given.

“If squatters are not provided tenancy rights, which is what it says in the budget, we are making a fantastic first step in the right direction.”