SALT LAKE CITY – Among the more than 200 bills already introduced in the Utah Senate during the first week of the 2025 general session of the Utah Legislature is a proposal that is seen as a proactive move to protect property owners against squatters before the issue can become a real problem in the Beehive State.
“The focus this session is on powering the state’s future through innovation and strategic foresight,” according to Sen. Chris Wilson (R-Logan), in his weekly report to Senate District 2 constituents.
“Building Utah’s future is about more than just meeting current demands,” he adds. “It’s about enhancing past successes while addressing future needs with bold vision.”
Limiting the rights of squatters under Senate Bill 55 (Unauthorized Use of Real Property Amendments) obviously falls under the heading of addressing future needs.
Here in Utah, squatters are defined as mysterious figures who move into abandoned, vacant or neglected properties. They could squat temporarily or for years at a time.
Squatters have long been a matter of concern among property owners because some of them can actually gain legal ownership of the property if they stay long enough under certain conditions.
According to state officials, squatting in Utah is considered relatively rare, because of strong laws protecting homeowners. But it still occurs, particularly in situations involving vacant properties or individuals overstaying their welcome as guests.
In other states, squatting has already become a serious issue. A recent study by National Rental Home Council (NRHC) found that Georgia, Texas and Florida reported their concerns with squatters were compounded by the issues rising from illegal immigration and homelessness.
The council surveyed its members who own single-family rental homes and found that about 1,200 homes in the Atlanta area have had squatters.
The survey also found there were an estimated 475 homes that had been occupied by squatters in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas and about 125 in Orange County in Florida, which includes Orlando.
Senate Bill 55, introduced by Sen. Heidi Balderee (R-Salt Lake), seeks to address the issue of squatters here before they become a major problem by strengthening protections for property owners, enabling law enforcement to act more swiftly and effectively to remove squatters.
Wilson says the proposal also increases criminal penalties for squatters who damage property or try to illegally sell or rent properties they do not own
Even here in Utah, unlawful occupancy of vacant homes is a growing issue, especially given the trends toward residents owning second homes and vacation properties.
Under Utah laws, squatter’s rights are general legal principles that allow squatters to gain ownership of a property through a long period of possession, even without the permission of the legal property owner.
To accomplish that, the squatter must occupy the property continuously; pay all property taxes and maintain a title claim for seven years.
At any time during that seven-year period, the legal property owner can assert his or her rights by obtaining an eviction notice from the local sheriff’s office.
“Utahns deserve the peace of mind knowing their homes are safe, even when they’re away,” Wilson insists.
“(Senate Bill 55) helps to provide that security, making sure homes stay protected and neighborhoods remain safe.”
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