How PA Property Owners Remove Squatters
The lawful way to remove someone occupying your property without permission.
How do property owners remove squatters in Pennsylvania?
A squatter is someone occupying property without the owner's permission and without a lease. Removing one in Pennsylvania is done through the courts — typically an ejectment action — rather than by force, because self-help removal can expose the owner to liability just as it does with a tenant.
Do squatters really have "rights"?
A squatter has no right to stay, but the law requires the owner to remove them through a proper legal process. The bigger long-term risk is adverse possession: if an occupant openly holds the property long enough and meets strict conditions, they can eventually claim title. Acting promptly prevents that.
Protecting your property
Owners reduce squatter risk by securing vacant buildings, documenting the lack of permission, and moving quickly to eject anyone who moves in. The right action depends on whether the person is a true trespasser or a former tenant holding over, which changes the procedure.
How Nochumson P.C. helps
Nochumson P.C. represents owners and investors in ejectment and possession actions to clear unauthorized occupants. Contact us if someone is occupying your property.
Related articles:
- How a Landlord Legally Evicts a Tenant in Pennsylvania
- A Landlord's Guide to Philadelphia Tenant Rights
- Breach of a Commercial Lease: A Landlord's Remedies
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