# What is the logic behind squatter's rights?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-squatters-rights/295044>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 17, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-squatters-rights/295044 "2005-03-17T20:29:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-squatters-rights/295044/41 "2005-03-25T14:03:52Z")

</div>

> [@Zebra](#):
>
> So there is this empty building on my street. This is in Brooklyn and it is a large place.
> 
> What do I do to get the place?

The one on Paper Street? Stay away from it man, stay away.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cainxinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-squatters-rights/295044/42 "2005-03-25T17:45:50Z")

</div>

You would have to move in and live there for the stautory period (I think NY requires around 12 years without color of title\*), you would have to kick out any trespassers, and generally do all the things the owner would including paying carrying charges like utilities, taxes, and insurance, and if any point during that time the true owner asked you to leave your claim would vanish.

It’s not the easiest thing in the world to aquire property this way. Except perhaps in Texas where you can get proper title in just three years if you have color of title.

\*Color of Title is when you have a deed that turns out to be void, but which you thought was valid and prompted your adverse posession claim. Under color of title the statutory period is shorter.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-squatters-rights/295044/43 "2005-03-25T19:00:38Z")

</div>

> [@Jojo](#):
>
> By coincidence, while looking for that case I found this case which is reported only today on BBC:
> 
> What a guy.

A regular Alfred P. Doolittle.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-squatters-rights/295044.md?page=2)