Bank foreclosures have made it easy for squatters to move in

Renters may fall behind in their payments to landlords, and constables deal with evicting them. That’s a civil matter.

Squatters don’t belong in the homes and don’t have a legitimate rental agreement. That’s when you turn to police, because that’s criminal.

It’s a recurring problem, especially in northwest Las Vegas. It’s a crime that absorbed most of officer Ray Berni’s time for two years, before he retired three months ago after 35 years with the Las Vegas police.

Berni taught me Squatters 101: how to avoid becoming an inadvertent squatter. He  followed with Squatters 102: what to do upon finding squatters within your property.

For five years, Berni was on the community-oriented policing team in the Northwest Area Command, performing proactive police work to protect quality of life in Las Vegas.

The bank foreclosure epidemic created a lot of vacant homes, including homes in exclusive gated neighborhoods.

Berni believes the majority of the 60 or more squatter families he ordered out over a two-year period were aware they were squatting.

For those who may be victims, he shared red flags for a prospective renter. Does the rental agent only meet you at the house, never an office? Do you receive only one key? Are you not given a garage door opener? Is the rent amazingly low? Was your payment receipt a generic job without a company name?

If the answers are all “yes,” figure the “rental agent” is a scammer. Don’t be surprised if you end up kicked out of the house and losing your money.

What about genuine squatters?

Berni’s advice to landlords or even suspicious neighbors: Call the nearest area command center and ask for the community-oriented policing team. Let police check it out.

When Berni would hear reports that squatters had moved in a home, he would go to the home, ask to see the lease and try to verify it was legitimate.

“Nine point nine times out of 10, the occupancy was bogus,” he said.

When he asked for leases, they were often “lost.” The squatters couldn’t even produce a business card from the “rental agency.”  Often the squatters are jobless, and he would find no trail where the rent money could have originated.

“Nothing adds up, and the lies get bigger,” Berni said.

He believes real estate people find empty houses with lockboxes and obtain a key that way. Craigslist is another way to locate vacant houses.

He was able to get the squatters to leave the house within two or three weeks, a month at the most.

While various criminal charges can be used to prosecute squatters, Berni said prosecution isn’t the goal. Getting the squatters out is the priority.

However, when he told people to get out, he warned them against damaging the property or they would face criminal action. Most left without damaging the home.

“I was very convincing,” Berni said. “I was not to be toyed with.”

Neighbors are the first line of defense against squatters. Put the neighbors on alert. Tell them you are leaving and haven’t sold or rented the home.

The retired office interviewed a banker who saw someone go into a side door of a neighbor’s house and then come out the front door moments later. When the banker asked what was going on, the intruder said, “None of your business.” Then the intruder said they were changing the locks for the bank.

Because the banker worked for the bank foreclosing on the home, he knew that was a lie.

The squatters who moved in shortly, also moved out shortly, with a nudge from Berni.

Coming Saturday: one landlord’s struggle to oust squatters.

Jane Ann Morrison’s column appears on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. She can be reached at jmorrison@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0275.