I own 21.18 acres of land in Oregon that I bought for my retirement . Since my spouse died, I don't want it anynore and am trying to sell it. We ( Realtor/Surveyor) have discovered that there a re squatterws on my land. No one seems to be willing to help. I have been through the Sheriff's Dept., the Police Dept., The Assessor's Office and the County Code Enforcement Dept. All have washed their hands of the situation. I have written to two Oregon Newspapers and two Washington Newspaprs aaand have gotten no response. Can you shed any light of what I should do? I am elderly, on disability and don't have much money. HELP!!!!
2006-12-30 19:12:47 · 12 answers · asked by judy.c3617@sbcglobal.net 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Have them arrested for trespassing then get a Restraining order against them. By arresting them this will have them removed from your property. By having a Restraining order against them means if they come within so many feet(say 300") of your property they will be arrested again. Stand your ground, and don't give in no matter what.
2007-01-01 06:51:09 · answer #1 · answered by nickle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be wise to have your property surveyed to make sure that the squatters are trespassing. Then put up "NO TRESPASSING" signs along the boundary. If these squatters are occupying structures that belong to you, post legal eviction notices requiring the occupants to vacate the premises immediately. I'm not sure about Oregon state laws, but you may want to look into whether or not they qualify for ownership through "adverse possession". In some states, it only takes 7 years for someone to take possession of land by occupying it. There are certain conditions that must be met. The local sheriff's department should enforce your eviction if the squatters refuse to leave. As a last resort, you may just sell the property "as-is" and notify the buyer that the land is being occupied by squatters. If the new buyers choose to develop the land, the squatters will usually leave at the first sign of a bulldozer.
2007-01-02 01:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by Surveyor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to hear of your situation. I live in Missouri, and all we have to do is call out the Sheriff's Dept, file a complaint, and the squatters are given a certain amount of days to leave the premises or face arrest. If your local Sheriff or Police Dept's won't help, I would at least attempt to contact my local representative to see if they can assist. If that doesn't work, call the press...local and national...sometimes this will embarass the departments responsible that they will follow the letter of the law to remove the squatters. You might also try to contact your local low-income law offices (they only charge according to your income) to see if they can force the law enforcement officers to do their duty and remove the squatters from your land. Good luck, and God bless you.
2006-12-30 19:36:37 · answer #3 · answered by Suzy Q 59 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every state has different laws regarding legal situations, which includes differing amounts of time before a squatter can claim legal rights to someone else's land.
I believe attorneys in most states now offer a free consultation to determine whether or not you need legal representation and whether or not you want them to represent you. In that consultation, you would explain the circumstances and the attorney would explain to you what needs to be done and how to go about doing it. Make certain, when you contact them, that the consultation is free and that you're under no obligation to retain them and, also, that you take your deed and legal description of the property with you at the time of your meeting.
If attorneys in Oregon don't offer a free consultation, you can contact Legal Services in that state. I checked the Internet and located the following resource:
http://www.lawhelp.org/program/1173/index.cfm#Malheur
At the bottom of this web site is a map showing the different counties in Oregon - click on the county in which your property is located and you'll see a toll-free number to call. If their office can't help you, ask them to direct you to someone who can.
Good luck to you.
2006-12-30 21:31:48 · answer #4 · answered by honeybucket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would see someone at the county court house. I'm not sure who. A judge possibly. Something is going to have to be put in legal writing. It will have to be served to the squatters then the Sheriff can get them off your land. In the mean time you can make life uncomfortable for them but be legally creative.
2006-12-30 19:22:33 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to get started on legal eviction notices. The cause for eviction is non payment of rent or occupancy without consent. you give the first 30 day and then after 26 days has lapsed then post a 3 day, keep copies of the posted notices with proof of the notices being received bu the occupants, then go to the local court to file for eviction should not cost more than $50 and you can include those costs in your suit. GOOD LUCK
2006-12-30 19:22:44 · answer #6 · answered by angelam219 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a gun. Squatters have a stupid amount of rights these days.
I work for a power co. and you can't even turn the power of in houses to try get them to leave. If its just land , i would say you will have had time to get anything done at all. On the other hand at least in USA you can carry a gun ( cant hear in NZ)
2006-12-30 19:20:49 · answer #7 · answered by mal 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If they are tresspassing, the law is obligated to do something, or the law enforcement agency will be in trouble for neglect of duty. File tresspassing charges with the sheriff's office.
2006-12-30 23:04:13 · answer #8 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could get a lawyer for a fixed fee or a percentage of the money you get for the land.
2006-12-30 19:19:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a wrestler to jump through the window and kick their arses then throw them out
2006-12-30 19:16:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋