Georgia State House candidate Mel Keyton is dealing with an ongoing saga as squatters have taken over his $450K Atlanta-area home. The situation has escalated to the point where the offenders have broken into the house multiple times, even after being arrested and bonding out of jail. Keyton describes this as the worst criminal activity he has ever seen in his life and is facing a frustrating battle to remove the squatters from his property. He is working with the police and city officials to address the issue, but the squatters continue to take advantage of legal loopholes to remain in the home illegally.
The squatters were initially located and arrested after police noticed a neighbor’s stolen car parked in front of the home. Six individuals were involved, with two receiving felony charges and the remaining four charged with trespassing. Despite their release, the fight to remove them from the property is ongoing. The squatters are well aware that the property is supposed to be vacant, but they are using the legal system to their advantage to stay in the home. Keyton, who is also president of the Hampton Oaks Homeowners Association, is determined to protect his property rights and ensure that the law is upheld in this situation.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently signed the Georgia Squatter Reform Act into law, which allows property owners to pursue damages against squatters and expedite the eviction process. Squatting is now considered a misdemeanor criminal offense in Georgia, punishable by up to a year in jail. Additionally, squatters may face a $1,000 fine or even felony charges if they forge a fake lease to remain in a property illegally. This new legislation aims to address the rising issue of squatting in the state and provide property owners with more legal protections and avenues for recourse.
Prior to the implementation of the Georgia Squatter Reform Act, squatting was considered a civil matter in the state. However, the problem had reached epidemic proportions, with over 1,200 metro Atlanta homes being taken over by squatters. Bloomberg reported on this growing trend earlier in the year, highlighting the challenges faced by property owners dealing with individuals who exploit legal loopholes to remain in vacant homes. The new legislation represents a significant step towards addressing this issue and ensuring that property owners have the necessary legal tools to protect their assets and remove squatters from their properties.
Mel Keyton continues to face challenges in reclaiming his home from the squatters, who have been exploiting legal technicalities to remain on the property unlawfully. Despite being arrested and charged, the squatters have continued to break into the house, forcing Keyton to engage with law enforcement and city officials to address the situation. The Georgia Squatter Reform Act signed by Governor Kemp provides Keyton and other property owners with more robust legal options to combat squatting and protect their properties from being unlawfully occupied. As the battle between Keyton and the squatters continues, the implementation of this new legislation represents a crucial step towards addressing the issue of squatting in Georgia and providing property owners with the necessary legal protections to safeguard their assets.
