A homeowner in Windsor Mill, Maryland, who goes by the name “Pete,” was shocked to discover that a family of squatters had moved into his vacant home. He had recently bought the property and was fixing it up for resale. But when a real estate agent came by to take photos, they saw people living inside. Pete didn’t know them, didn’t rent the house to them, and certainly didn’t give anyone permission to move in.

The Family Claims They Were Scammed

The people living in the house, a couple with two young kids, told police they had paid $1,500 to someone on Instagram who said they were offering low-income housing. They didn’t sign a real lease, they weren’t screened like a normal tenant would be, and they didn’t meet Pete. But they moved in anyway, changed the locks, and printed out a “squatter lease agreement” they found online. They showed this paper to the police when Pete called for help.

Police Say It’s a Civil Matter, Not a Crime

Even though Pete told the police he never rented the house out, and even though the squatters admitted they hadn’t spoken to the real owner, the police didn’t remove them. Because they had a printed lease, no matter how fake, officers said it looked like a civil dispute and not a criminal trespassing case. Pete had no choice but to begin a legal process that could take weeks or even months, costing him money and delaying his plans to sell.

The Squatters Ask for $5,000 to Leave

Instead of dragging the situation through court, Pete agreed to pay the family $5,000 to move out. It was essentially a payout to get control of his own home back. He says it made him sick to have to do it, but it was the fastest and least expensive way to end the nightmare. By that point, they had lived in his house for several weeks without paying him a dime.

Growing Problem, Few Protections

This kind of squatting scam isn’t new, but it’s becoming more common. Local officials say people are now recruiting others through social media by offering cheap housing. Some know they’re breaking the law, while others believe the offers are legitimate. Maryland laws don’t clearly address this kind of situation, which makes it hard to resolve. But lawmakers are considering changes that would let police remove squatters more easily and help property owners avoid being exploited.