Illegal Squatters Have Found a New Target: Airbnbs

Under its updated cancellation policy, Airbnb says, guests can cancel reservations and receive refunds in cases of “foreseeable weather events,” such as hurricanes, that would result in another covered event occurring, such as large-scale utility outages. Dreamstime/TNS

Squatters have found a new type of home to take over, and it’s been just as difficult to kick them out of short-term rentals as conventional residential properties. While it’s not illegal to remove a squatter from a short-term rental property, waiting too long could result in a protracted and expensive fight over ownership. 

The act of “squatting,” or adverse possession, which entails moving into a dwelling without any legal claim or title to that property, has become a national issue. However, only in the past year have there been cases of squatters targeting Airbnb properties.