Maryland homeowners are paying thousands to squatters who break into their homes, change locks, and claim legal right to live there—a criminal operation that law enforcement seems powerless to stop.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple Maryland homeowners have been victimized by an organized squatting scam where fraudsters use Instagram to “rent” homes they don’t own.
- Police often treat these cases as civil matters rather than criminal, leaving homeowners to negotiate with or pay off squatters to regain access to their own property.
- Property owner Mike Haskell had to pay $3,000 to squatters who broke into his home for sale, while another homeowner named Pete is facing demands for $5,000 from squatters.
- Squatters come armed with fake leases and payment receipts, making it difficult for police to immediately remove them from properties.
- Experts recommend regular property monitoring, high-grade security systems, and quick legal action to protect vacant properties from squatters.
Organized Criminal Networks Target Vacant Maryland Homes
Maryland homeowners are discovering a horrifying reality: squatters can break into your home, change the locks, remove for-sale signs, and claim legal residence while police stand by helplessly. The squatting crisis has escalated dramatically across the state, with fraudsters using social media platforms to orchestrate sophisticated schemes that victimize both property owners and vulnerable people seeking housing. These operations have all the hallmarks of organized crime, with repeat offenders targeting multiple properties using the same tactics.
“We have people who are doing this time and time again, and we know who they are. It’s no different than any other criminal network that we would normally hold very seriously accountable,” said Baltimore County State Delegate Ryan Nawrocki.
Homeowners Forced to Pay Ransom for Their Own Property
The financial and emotional toll on victims is substantial. In Windsor Mill, homeowner Mike Haskell was preparing to finalize the sale of his renovated property when he received an alarming call from his real estate agent. Strangers had moved into his vacant home, changed the locks, and removed the for-sale sign. When Haskell confronted the squatters, they claimed they had paid $7,500 to someone on social media and signed lease documents. Despite contacting police, Haskell was told this was a civil matter.
“They thought it was maybe being unstaged for advertising, and I said, ‘No, that was done way earlier. There should be nobody there,'” said Mike Haskell.
Desperate to complete his home sale, Haskell ultimately paid the squatters $3,000 to vacate his property. In another recent case, Maryland homeowner Pete faced squatters who demanded $5,000 to leave after accessing his home through a fraudulent Instagram rental scheme. When police arrived, the squatters presented a document called a “Squatter Lease Agreement Addendum” and claimed they had paid $1,500 to a woman on Instagram for the right to live there.
Law Enforcement Hands Tied by Civil Process
What’s particularly alarming for property owners is how the legal system appears to favor squatters over legitimate homeowners. When police are called, they often classify these situations as civil disputes rather than criminal trespassing or breaking and entering. This forces homeowners into lengthy eviction processes while strangers continue living in their property. The dual victimization creates prosecution challenges that criminals exploit to continue their operations.
“You have a victim who signs a lease and gets ripped off—and you have a property owner who loses control of their home,” explained Baltimore County State’s Attorney Scott Shellenberger.
Real estate experts warn that removing squatters often proves more difficult than evicting legitimate tenants who have stopped paying rent. The process can drag on for months while property owners continue paying mortgages, property taxes, and legal fees. Many desperate homeowners end up paying “ransom” to squatters just to avoid the lengthy legal battle, essentially rewarding criminal behaviour.
Protecting Your Property Before It’s Too Late
With law enforcement limited in their ability to immediately remove squatters, prevention becomes crucial for property owners. Real estate professionals recommend multiple security measures for vacant properties, including regular monitoring, high-grade locks, security systems with cameras, and proper lighting. Some homeowners are even hiring property management services specifically to conduct regular checks on vacant homes to deter potential squatters.
“The key to protecting yourself from squatters is preventing them from entering in the first place,” advised real estate expert Bruce Ailion.
Additional recommendations include installing security cameras, keeping properties well-maintained to appear occupied, and responding immediately to any signs of tampering. For those selling homes, security measures become even more important once the property is listed. “As soon as you list a home for sale or lease, invest in cameras and security systems,” recommended real estate professional David Metzger.
Legislative Solutions Needed
While some states like Florida and California have enacted laws to protect property owners from squatting scams, Maryland lags behind in addressing this growing crisis. The problem highlights the need for stronger property rights protections that allow legitimate owners to quickly remove trespassers without lengthy civil proceedings. Until legislation catches up, Maryland homeowners remain vulnerable to organized criminals who have discovered they can effectively hold private property for ransom with minimal risk of consequences.
“It is currently more difficult to get squatters out than getting a delinquent tenant out,” noted Ailion.
For homeowners who discover squatters have taken over their property, experts recommend immediately contacting law enforcement to document the situation, even if police cannot immediately remove the squatters. The next step should be consulting with a property attorney who specializes in eviction proceedings. While prevention remains the best approach, being prepared with legal resources can help minimize the damage when squatters target your property.
