What are squatters rights?

Question

What are they? Do they depend on the state? I didnt know squatters had rights and I dont even understand why they have them.

Answer 1

click here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_possession

Answer 2

If a squatter stays on an owners land openly for a period of (I forgot howmany years) openly without the owners consent or knowledge, uninterupted, the land can legally be taken from the owner and given to the squatter.

Answer 3

Squatters rights are when you have an abandoned, usually, piece of land that no one owns and you build a home on it. You don't own the land, but you do the structure. Most Native American nations are set up this way.

Answer 4

It's a term that refers to a legal doctrine in most states/countries called Adverse Possession.

Put simply, if someone lives on land for a long enough period, openly and without permission, then they can lay claim to the land. It's kind of like a statute of limitations for tresspassing. After a certain period (usually 10-20 years), it's too late for the landowner to complain.

Answer 5

From what I understand, it means that if a bum trespasses onto your property while you are on vacation and "sets up house" there, they have rights and you, the hard-working homeowner, have none. They can stay without paying you a dime, wreck your property, and there is little you can do about it.

Answer 6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_possession