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First, the Fear: No, a Squatter Cannot Just Take Your Home
The nightmare scenario people imagine — a squatter legally owning your house — comes from adverse possession, and in Maryland that requires continuous, open occupancy for 20 years. A person who moved in last month, or last year, is nowhere close. Your ownership is not in danger from a recent squatter. What a squatter can do is force you through a legal process to remove them, which costs time and money — which is the real problem to solve.
The Right Tool: Wrongful Detainer
Because a squatter has no landlord-tenant relationship with you, you do not use the rent-court eviction process. You use a wrongful-detainer action under Real Property §14-132. As the Maryland People's Law Library explains, wrongful detainer is specifically for someone holding possession of property without the right to — and it may NOT be used against a current tenant, a holdover tenant, or someone there by court order.
The basic path: give the occupant proper written notice to leave; if they do not, file a complaint for wrongful detainer in the District Court for the county where the property sits; attend the hearing and prove your superior right to possession (with your deed); and if the court rules for you, request a warrant of restitution so the sheriff can remove them. It works — but it takes time, and the occupant can appeal.
What Our Customers Are Saying
See why many people recommend us to be your local Maryland homebuyers.
Brett is an exceptional man with intelligence, honesty, foresight, vision and best f all LOYALTY! I have been a Realtor since 1998 and have never been fond of the investment buying process until Brett! I love working with him as his Realtor. I am so honored that he chose myself to do this job and I am so excited for the years to come!
Michele Michael
I am so happy to have found Tyler and Brett at ACE. In a world where everyone is out for themselves, these men are both a breath of fresh air. They are upfront and honest and made our transaction so seamless and easy. Very easy to work with and I will 100% recommend them to others and do business with them again, given the opportunity.
Olga Michaelidis
Calling Ace Homebuyers was the best decision I made when looking to help sell my parent’s house. Tyler and Brett are not only very professional, but they made the process super easy. They took care of everything. After my Dad passed away, we need to move my mom closer to my siblings. This required us to sell the house that my parents spent 41 years in.
Jeffrey Mogus
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The Self-Help Trap
It is tempting to just change the locks or have the utilities shut off. Do not. Maryland prohibits self-help eviction even against a squatter — only the sheriff, on a court order, may remove someone. Taking matters into your own hands can expose you to liability and actually slow down your case. The Maryland Courts self-help center outlines the lawful steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Shortcut: Sell the Property As-Is, Squatter and All
Here is the option most owners never consider: you do not have to win the wrongful-detainer case before you sell. ACE Homebuyers buys squatter-occupied properties as-is. We take title and handle the lawful removal ourselves, so you are not the one spending months and legal fees on a stranger. You get a cash price for the property, close in as little as 7 days, and the entire situation becomes ours. For your specific facts, the State's free legal resources and an attorney can advise — but if your goal is simply to be done with it, a cash sale is the cleanest exit.
Have a Date? Let's Build a Closing Around It.
Fill out the form or call. Tell us the address and your report or start date. We will give you a real cash number and a closing date that beats your deadline — no pressure, no obligation.
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