Nassau Standard

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick is urging the Legislature to take action against law-breaking criminals who are squatting in people's homes. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick proposed an amendment aimed at making squatters subject to theft crimes within the penal code to protect homeowners from such illegal activities.

Speaking on the issue, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick stated, "In a State like New York that offers some of the most tenant-friendly laws in the nation, it is entirely illogical to offer similar protections to squatters. The mere notion of so-called 'squatters rights' is nonsensical and is having devastating effects on property owners who are forced to continue paying real estate taxes, possibly a mortgage and other expenses while a squatter wrongly occupies their property."

Highlighting the importance of public safety, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick emphasized, "The legislature must prioritize public safety for our Long Island residents. The amendment today would make it clear that squatters and those who occupy property without permission from the owner are not treated as tenants and have no right to remain on the property. Until our policies stop favoring criminal behavior, cases such as these will only continue to get worse."

The Senator questioned the current situation by drawing parallels, stating, "If someone steals your credit card information, they don’t get to keep using your information under 'credit card scammer’s rights. If someone steals your car, they don’t get to keep driving it under 'car jacker’s rights.' Why is New York State allowing people to remain in homes they have no right to occupy in the first place? Why are we rewarding wrongdoers with legal rights?"

Despite the proposal put forth by Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, every Senate Democrat voted against the measure, which aimed to protect the rights of property owners over so-called "squatters rights." The issue of squatting continues to be a concern, especially in areas like Long Island and New York City, where incidents involving squatters have garnered attention.

The call to address the squatting issue comes in light of recent high-profile cases, including one where two suspected squatters were arrested for a heinous crime in New York City. Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick's amendment seeks to rectify the current laws that treat squatters as licensees, thereby making it easier for property owners to handle such unlawful occupation.