By: Aaron Eller
February 18, 2025
Sell My House with Squatters in Missouri: How to Remove Squatters
Selling a house can be stressful, but when you have squatters living on your property, the process becomes even more complicated. Whether you’ve inherited a property with unauthorized occupants or a vacant house was taken over, knowing your rights and options is crucial. At Cash Offer Man, we specialize in buying houses AS-IS, even if they have squatters. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about dealing with squatters in Missouri and how you can still sell your house fast.
What Are Squatters?
Squatters are individuals who occupy a property without the legal right to do so. They might be strangers who moved in when the house was vacant, former tenants who refuse to leave after a lease expires, or even someone who claims ownership of the property without permission. Understanding squatters’ rights and Missouri laws is essential for property owners dealing with this issue.
The Difference Between Trespassers and Squatters
While trespassing is a criminal offense, squatting can sometimes fall into a legal gray area. In Missouri, if a squatter occupies a home long enough and meets specific legal conditions they can claim the home is their residence requiring you to file an eviction rather than calling the police for someone breaking in where the police will remove them on the spot. Either way you will be able to get them out, but if you have to evict them it can cost you upwards of a thousand dollars or more with an attorney and could take a few months if the squatters want to fight you in court.
Why Do Squatters Occupy Homes?
There are various reasons why squatters might occupy a vacant property:
- Homelessness and lack of affordable housing.
- Opportunistic individuals looking for free lodging.
- Bad tenants who refuse to vacate after an expired lease.
- Individuals attempting to claim property through adverse possession laws.
Understanding why squatters move in can help you determine the best way to handle the situation.
How to Remove Squatters
If you find squatters living in your property, you can’t simply change the locks or physically remove them yourself. Missouri law has a legal process for evicting squatters, which property owners must follow.
Steps to Remove Squatters in Missouri
- Call Law Enforcement – If the squatters broke in, they might be charged with trespassing, allowing police to remove them immediately.
- Cash for Keys – If the squatters won’t leave on their own or the police can’t remove them you can try to bribe them to leave. If they refuse to leave you will have to evict them costing you money and ultimately the squatters will be kicked out of the home. So it can be beneficial to both the homeowner and the squatters to make a deal where they can leave by the homeowner paying them a couple hundred dollars and they won’t go through an eviction.Â
- Serve an Eviction Notice – If law enforcement can’t remove them and they won’t leave upon your demands, you’ll need to serve an official eviction notice, similar to a landlord removing a tenant. This will cost you a couple hundred dollars on the cheap end but could cost you several thousand if they try and fight you in court costing you more legal fees. In the end you should win if they are squatters based on Missouri Law.Â
- File an Unlawful Detainer Lawsuit – If the squatters refuse to leave, you must file an unlawful detainer lawsuit in court.
- Get a Court Order – If the court rules in your favor, law enforcement can forcibly remove the squatters.
- Secure the Property – After removing squatters, take measures to prevent them from returning, such as securing doors, windows, and adding surveillance. If the house is going to be vacant for the foreseeable future you might want to consider boarding up windows and doors depending on the area to prevent people from breaking in and entering.Â
How Long Does the Eviction Process Take?
The timeline for removing squatters can vary based on court schedules and legal requirements. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to fully remove squatters through the legal process. It largely depends on the county where the house is located and the squatters or tenants you’re evicting. Everyone in America has the right to defend themselves and is innocent until proven guilty, so they can extend the court process and try and fight your eviction lawsuit which could extend it several months or longer costing you more in attorney fees.
How to Prevent Squatters
Preventing squatters is much easier than removing them. Here are some ways to protect your property:
- Regularly inspect the property – Vacant homes are more vulnerable to squatters. Check on them often and ideally talk with the neighbors to report any suspicious activity.Â
- Keep the property secured – Lock all doors, windows, and gates. If the area is prone to crime and break ins, look into boarding up windows and doors if the house is going to be vacant for an extended time period.Â
- Post No Trespassing signs – This can deter potential squatters.Â
- Have Cameras on the Property- Having cameras will deter people from breaking in but also can give the homeowner an opportunity to watch the property from afar and make sure there are no break ins or squatters on the property.Â
- Hire property management – If you own multiple properties, having someone oversee them regularly can help prevent unauthorized occupation. This can also be a person you know, if you live out of town but have a family member in town they might be willing to drive by the property every so often to make sure nothing has happened.Â
- Sell your house fast – The longer a house remains vacant, the more at risk it is for squatters. Selling to a reputable cash home-buying company like Cash Offer Man can help avoid this issue altogether.
Cash Offer Man Will Buy Your House with the Squatters in There
Dealing with squatters can be time-consuming, costly, and frustrating. The good news? You don’t have to go through the eviction process alone. Cash Offer Man buys houses AS-IS, even with squatters inside. You don’t need to make any repairs or go through lengthy legal battles – we’ll handle it for you.
How We Make the Process Easy
- We assess the property and make an all-cash offer.
- We handle all legal procedures related to squatters.
- You don’t need to worry about repairs or cleanup.
- We close fast on your timeline.
We Can Also Help You Get Them Out
If you prefer to remove the squatters before selling, we can guide you through the process. Our team is experienced in handling distressed properties, including those with unauthorized occupants. We can connect you with legal professionals who specialize in squatters’ rights and eviction cases in Missouri.
Missouri Laws on Squatters and Their Rights
Missouri has specific laws regarding squatters and adverse possession claims. To claim adverse possession, squatters must prove they have:
- Openly lived in the property for at least 10 years.
- Treated the property as their own.
- Maintained the property and paid property taxes (in some cases).
What If the Squatter Claims They Have Rights?
If a squatter claims they have rights to your property, you may need to take legal action immediately. A real estate attorney can help navigate the complexities of Missouri’s property laws to ensure your rights as a homeowner are protected. We recommend you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible if squatters are saying they have adverse possession claims to your home.
Why You Want to Remove Squatters
Having squatters in your home can cause serious problems, including:
- Property Damage – Many squatters do not maintain the home and may cause damage.
- Legal Issues – Evictions can take months, leading to lost time and money.
- Decreased Property Value – Homes with squatters can deter buyers and lower market value.
- Financial Burden – You may still be responsible for property taxes, utilities, and other expenses while squatters occupy the home.
Selling your house to Cash Offer Man eliminates these risks. We buy homes in any condition, so you don’t have to worry about these headaches.
Benefits of Selling Your House to Us When Having Squatters
Selling a house with squatters is challenging, but we make it easy. Here’s why working with Cash Offer Man is the best option:
- Sell your house fast – No waiting months for squatters to leave.
- Sell your house without a realtor – Avoid commissions and fees.
- Sell your house for cash – Get a quick, guaranteed offer.
- No Repairs Needed – We buy houses AS-IS, including those with damage from squatters.
- Experienced Team – We handle all the legal processes so you don’t have to.
If you’re ready to sell your house quickly, even with squatters inside, Cash Offer Man is here to help. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation cash offer on your home in St. Louis, Missouri.
Get a Cash Offer on Your House Today!
Don’t let squatters keep you from selling your property. Cash Offer Man is the best home buyer in St. Louis, offering a hassle-free way to sell your home fast. Whether you’re selling an inherited house, facing foreclosure, or dealing with an unwanted property, we provide a fair, all-cash offer with no hidden fees.
Call us today or fill out our online form to get a cash offer on your house in St. Louis, Missouri!
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We buy houses in Missouri, Springfield, Jennings, Columbia, Hannibal, Troy, St. Charles, Hazelwood, Florissant, Bridgeton, Oakville, Afton, and Arnold just to name a few. If you have a house located in Missouri and want to get an offer, fill out the form below and our team will get you an offer right away!
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