Squatters. Oh boy I don’t know where to begin with the stories I’ve heard about squatters stripping down and leaving a lot of damage in vacant homes that were sold to us by the real owner. I’ve seen quite a few since getting into the business. Maybe tomorrow will be another day, another house sold with a history of squatters not wanting to leave until law enforcement finally gets the job done via an eviction order.
Squatters rights in Wisconsin or adverse possession can take 20 years to be established in the state. As such, unauthorized occupants are protected from “self-help” evictions. This means that you won’t be able to change the locks or shut off utilities. In order to get rid of squatters in Wisconsin, you’ll need to serve a formal 5-day or 14-day notice and file an eviction in small claims court. This can be a stressful process and it might cost you time and money. Thankfully, you have an option to get out of the situation altogether. You can sell the property “as-is” even if the squatter is still inside.
You get a fast, clean exit with Cream City Home Buyers. You won’t have to worry about dealing with squatters again on your property now that it’s out of your hands. My team and I will handle the legal aspect of the eviction process while you move on with more cash in your pocket.
Does Wisconsin Have Squatters Rights? (The 20-Year Reality)
Let’s clear up the biggest myth first. Yes, Wisconsin does have what people call “squatter’s rights”. The legal term is adverse possession. Under Wisconsin Statute 893.25, it states:
- A squatter must occupy a property for 20 continuous years to establish adverse possession
- Their use must be open, obvious, and without permission.
Only then they could even attempt to claim rights to ownership. One thing to be aware of is the myth of the 30-day rule. It’s been said that squatters have rights after 30 days. That is not the case. They don’t give ownership in 30 days and it changes the situation from criminal trespassing to a civil issue. Law enforcement may stop the removal process and that leads to the formal eviction process being the only option. A homeowner in this situation might feel stuck in this predicament.
I also notice this with other property owners that I talk to. Especially when I hear about squatters rights Michigan or even squatters rights California being on part with Wisconsin. I also heard squatters rights Florida has been done away with.
The Danger of “Self-Help” Evictions in Milwaukee
You cannot change the locks, shut off utilities, remove their belongings, or force them out. That’s because “self-help evictions” are considered illegal. As much as I hate to say it, this is true. And it makes my blood boil over the many stories I’ve heard of property owners doing this only to get sued by the squatters themselves.
No, I’m not joking. Taking matters into your own hands in such situations can result in the “squatter” suing you for damages, claiming an illegal eviction, and delaying the removal process a lot longer than it needs to. I’ve even known a property owner who had encountered a violent squatter when he attempted this himself. Not only is it something that gets you in legal trouble, it might damn near become something where you risk your life.
What seems like a quick fix can lead to an even greater legal issue later on down the road.
You can take the necessary legal route to remove the squatters. Or you can simply sell the property to a buyer who can give you a cash offer in Milwaukee. You won’t have to worry about what to do next about the squatters. Just move on with your life and take the money.
How to Evict a Squatter in Wisconsin: The-Step-by-Step Legal Path
- The notice: You need to give a written notice before you file anything. There are two common options to choose from including the following:
- 5-Day Notice (if claiming unpaid rent or a related situation)
- 14-Day Notice (no chance to “fix” the issue)
Either way, the legal clock begins here.
- The summons: If they don’t leave, you file an eviction case. You will need to procure proof of ownership along with the documentation of notice served. You can consult with an attorney in the local area to assist you with this process if necessary.
- The hearing: You will need to present the deed or title at the hearing. You will also need to produce evidence that the squatters are there without your permission. If the court agrees, you will win the judgement.
- Writ of Restitution (Sheriff Removal): At this point, law enforcement handles the removal. They have the legal authority to handle the squatters.
The process is stressful and takes weeks or months depending on the backlog. Now, you don’t have to deal with the squatters. If you sell to us at Cream City Home Buyers, we’ll handle the legal aspect of things in the future and trust law enforcement to do what needs to be done.
Why Squatters Target Vacant Houses in Southeastern Wisconsin
I’m going to be real with you here. Squatters look for opportunities to set up shop in vacant houses in Southeastern Wisconsin. You have places like Milwaukee, West Allis, and Glendale. These are people who target vacant homes, rental properties that are between tenants, and also houses that are listed but sit unsold. I cannot even begin to tell you how many complaints I have heard from real estate agents about people who weren’t supposed to be there.
If you think about it, squatters aren’t stupid. I’d like to think they’re quite savvy. Especially when they look for certain clues about a property that is vacant or hasn’t been occupied in awhile. They look for things like: no regular visits, overgrown yard, and mail piling up. To them, that’s the “unholy trinity” that translates into “jackpot” for them.
The hidden damages also pile up as well. I’ve seen homes that had copper pipes stripped from them. Yes, squatters can steal those and sell them for a profit. That’s not the only thing. I’ve seen plenty of mold due to utilities being shut off or misused. The trash build up and sanitation issues have caused damage to the house. It can get to a point where my team and I had to replace carpets, floorboard, you name it.
If you own a home yourself and you have to deal with that much damage, it’s going to cost you thousands. You probably don’t have that much money lying around, do you? But you can take comfort in knowing you can sell the house without spending an arm and a leg on the repairs.
The “Smart Path”: Sell Your House With a Squatter Inside
What’s the point of fighting the issue anymore? It’s a house that you might no longer consider useful. Yet, squatters are making it difficult for you. Here’s the escape hatch you’ve been looking for: selling to a cash buyer like Cream City Home Buyers. No need to wait months in court, pay legal fees, or risk damage. You sell the home to us and we’ll take care of what needs to be done. My team and I are familiar with the legal process on how to remove squatters. We can easily prove ownership and the evidence that proves that squatters are present and everything will play out as it should.
You sell the property to us as-is. No need for repairs, cleanups, eviction notices, or anything else. If you want to know how it works, I’ll be more than happy to get in contact with you. After that, you can decide if we’re the home buyers that you want to trust.
FAQ: Wisconsin Squatter Laws & Prevention
How to get rid of a squatter in Wisconsin if the police won’t help?
If the police say they won’t help, they’ll explain it to you. More often than not, it’ll be a civil matter. At that point, I highly encourage you to either do one of two things: One, issue an eviction notice. Or two, you can sell to Cream City Home Buyers and we’ll take care of the legal process from there. Either way, once an eviction notice is issued, the clock on their removal begins.
Does paying property taxes give a squatter rights?
This is where things can get tricky. The squatter’s adverse possession time will drop from 20 years to 7 under these conditions. First, they have a “color of title”. Second, they pay taxes. Even more confusing is that they have to have been there for close to a decade. I know, it’s a lot to process especially when we’re talking about the Milwaukee housing market and what’s available these days, with or without the squatters.
Do you handle the legal obstacles of eviction after the house sale?
Yes we do. If you sell the property to Cream City Home Buyers, we’ll begin the legal proceedings to make sure the squatters are evicted. We will treat it as if it were a civil legal situation from the beginning. For safety purposes and to prevent legal issues, we won’t do self-help evictions. Don’t forget that we buy houses in Waukesha that may have squatters already, so no need to worry about evicting them beforehand if you don’t want to do that.
Conclusion: Reclaim Your Property Today
If you have squatters on your Wisconsin property, I highly advise you not to let your pride get in the way and kick them out yourself. You need to follow the legal channels to get it done. Or you can talk to my team and sell the house. From there, we’ll handle the squatters in the best legal way possible. Our 15-minute Property Discovery just might be what you’re looking for to get the best possible offer. We give you a fair cash offer, you take the money, and the property (as well as the squatters) are no longer your problem.
