New York City politicians are calling for a revision of laws regarding squatters after a group of squatters engaged in a months-long campaign of terror against their neighbors, culminating in burning down a house in Brooklyn last November. The leader of the squatters, Cheng Chen, was charged with arson and criminal mischief and sentenced to six months in prison. The New York City Police Department confirmed that the fire was started intentionally and recklessly, causing $900,000 in damage and requiring dozens of firefighters to extinguish.
In response to the arson and other similar incidents, NYC Councilwoman Susan Zhuang has urged for changes to squatter’s rights laws. She and fed-up residents are pushing for clarifications and revisions to the laws, citing numerous stories of homes and businesses being taken over by squatters in recent months. The residents are hardworking families that pay their mortgages and are calling upon politicians to address the issue and make the city better for law-abiding citizens.
The incident in Brooklyn isn’t an isolated case, as there have been other instances of squatter-related issues in New York City. Last month, eight Venezuelan migrants were removed from a Bronx home filled with guns and drugs, and a Manhattan woman was killed after encountering squatters in her new apartment. Lawmakers are also advocating for better tracking and reporting of squatting incidents to get a better understanding of the frequency of such occurrences in the city.
New York City law currently allows anyone occupying a home or apartment for at least 30 days to claim squatter’s rights, even if they broke into the property. Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz has drafted a bill to make it easier for police to intervene in such cases by revising the definition of tenant to exclude squatters, providing reassurance to residents that unauthorized occupants cannot remain in their homes. Councilmembers from both political parties are supporting the closure of loopholes that favor occupants refusing to vacate properties over landlords.
Residents in affected neighborhoods are calling for clarity in tenancy laws in order to prevent further incidents of squatters taking over homes and businesses. They are frustrated with the current situation, where squatters appear to have an advantage over law-abiding citizens. The push for legislative changes comes amidst a growing trend of squatting in the city, with residents feeling unsafe and burdened by the lack of action from authorities.
Several rallies have been held to raise awareness of the squatting problem in New York City, with residents sharing stories of break-ins, theft, and threats from squatters. The proposed bill by Assemblyman Blumencranz aims to address the issue by strengthening the ability of police to intervene and clarify the rights of tenants versus squatters. Lawmakers believe that changes to the laws are necessary to protect residents and uphold property rights in the face of escalating incidents of squatting in the city.
