Florida’s Anti-Squatter Playbook Gains Momentum As Other States Follow

• Don’t mean squat: Florida was the first state to pass an anti-squatting bill, now others are following suit.

• Epic save: After Enel X shut down, Epic Charging rescued 3,000+ EV chargers by migrating them to a new open system.

• Steel waiting: A newly announced tariff on steel will impact developers who are already battling rising construction costs.

• Senate inquiry: RealPage has received a letter from Democratic Senators asking for more information about the company’s lobbying efforts.

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Florida’s Anti-Squatter Playbook Gains Momentum As Other States Follow

Florida property owners will soon have new tools to combat unauthorized occupants, this time beyond the residential sector. On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new measures aimed at helping commercial landlords and hotel operators more quickly remove “squatters” from their properties.

One of the new laws, SB 322, allows commercial property owners to request police assistance in removing unauthorized individuals, provided that the occupants have been asked to leave first. Those removed retain the right to file a lawsuit for wrongful removal. The measure is intended to provide landlords with a faster path to reclaiming control of their spaces.

The second bill, SB 606, targets hotels and lodging establishments. It clarifies the legal distinction between tenants, who require formal eviction proceedings, and transient guests who overstay or refuse to pay, allowing them to be removed by law enforcement. Both new laws take effect on July 1st.

The push builds on momentum from last year’s House Bill 621, which for the first time codified a clearer process for removing unauthorized occupants from residential properties in Florida. Before HB 621, police often declined to intervene in squatting cases, citing them as civil disputes. Landlords were forced into slow and expensive court battles to recover their homes.

Now, under the revised Florida Statute Chapter 83, property owners can engage law enforcement to assist in removing individuals who are illegally occupying homes, with fewer procedural hurdles. HB 621 was pitched as a model for restoring private property rights and is already influencing lawmakers in other states.

Squatting, when someone occupies a property without permission, is not a new phenomenon. But rising housing costs and the proliferation of online networks that advise squatters on legal loopholes have led to an increase in incidents across the United States. 

Fears of squatters seizing vacant homes surged last year after Venezuelan TikTok influencer Leonel Moreno encouraged followers to occupy U.S. properties. Moreno’s arrest in Ohio by federal immigration officers only fueled the frenzy. In response, lawmakers in at least 10 states proposed bills to curb squatting last year, including those that would revoke tenancy rights, empower police, or criminalize the practice. Several measures have already passed, reflecting a swift legislative shift amid viral “squatter horror” stories.

While proponents argue these laws are necessary to protect property owners, others caution that a balance must be struck to avoid abuses and ensure due process. As more jurisdictions take up the issue in their 2025 legislative sessions, Florida’s evolving anti-squatter playbook will be closely watched by landlords nationwide.

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Developers Brace for Rising Steel Prices After Surprise Tariff Move

President Trump’s sudden decision to double steel tariffs from 25% to 50% is expected to ripple through the commercial real estate sector, escalating project costs and adding uncertainty to an already strained construction market. 

U.S. steel prices, already among the world’s highest, are projected to rise further, tightening budgets for developers who rely on steel for framing, curtain walls, and rebar. The move may offer a temporary boost for domestic steel producers, but the broader economic effects are more complex. 

For every American steelworker, roughly 80 workers are employed in steel-dependent industries such as construction and manufacturing, where rising input costs could squeeze margins and fuel inflation. Framed as a protective measure for U.S. steelmakers, the tariff hike also signals continued volatility in the administration’s trade policy. 

Trump frequently shifts his stance on tariffs, using them as political leverage. Industry lobbying could pressure the administration to reverse or modify the move. In the meantime, real estate developers may face heightened material cost risks, potential project delays, and supply chain disruptions.

Democratic Senators Question RealPage’s Influence on Policy Change Around AI Regulation

Five Democratic Senators including Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have sent a letter to the CEO of RealPage asking for more information about the company's lobbying efforts. The purpose of the letter is to understand how the company may have influenced a new law provision attached to Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill, which bars state laws that regulate AI.

The letter asked for RealPage to disclose how much money it spent lobbying congressional members since 2020 as well as "copies of any proposed legislation, legislative language, or other legislative input that RealPage, or any trade organization of which RealPage is a member, has provided to affiliated interest groups or to Members of Congress." The letter also calls into question whether or not the proposed ban should be considered a “policy change” and thus should not pass muster under the Senate’s rules for budget reconciliation bills.

Technically the letter does not represent a legally binding obligation to respond. But not responding would put the company under even more scrutiny and could lead to a further action. The company does have a responsibility to disclose how much it paid to lobbyists. Failure to disclose this information could result in fines or even legal action. RealPage also needs to worry about public perception, particularly the opinion of its clients. If these Senators ramp up their efforts against the company it could make it even harder to convince clients to continue to use their services.

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