Can Utah Squatters Get Rights To Your Property?

Though it may not seem as common now, Utah has its very own set of rules for “squatters” and the process is difficult for them to attain property.  

Maybe you’re thinking of rugged homelessness or a family of 10 looking for a place to stay on a cold night in Utah. Those are both realities that happen in the state, but it takes a lot more than that to get squatter rights here.  

Though an abandoned property may seem “fair game” that’s not really the case and those who take up residence need to follow certain steps to attain these rights.  

To break it down, there are timelines that must be followed and certain upkeep to the property in question. First, and most basically, the squatter in question needs to be on the Utah property for seven years. This means that they need to occupy the space as a property owner would and not a tenant, Alliance Property Management said.  

There is no need for lease or rent in this case but as the pseudo property owner, they will need to maintain the property and improve/beautify it.  

The person looking to acquire the property will also need to either add a “substantial encloser” or use the land for either fencing timber, fuel for husbandry or personal use. Though not all, that is most of the makeup of what leads to a squatter being able to take legal ownership of the property.  

Of course, the squatter also must pay property taxes for seven consecutive years as an actual property owner would.