Start the Eviction Process
If the local authorities cannot get the squatter to leave and the squatters dig in their heels, it might be time to start eviction. There are various eviction laws around the country; however, Colorado requires that the process begin by issuing a legal eviction notice letting the squatters know they need to evict the property or vacant home.
If you are lucky, an eviction notice can scare away the squatters, causing them to leave. However, if the legal notice doesn’t prove successful, the next step would be to provide the squatters a notice of a set number of days for them to evict your house.
If the squatters still don’t leave your property by then, you might have to file an unlawful detainer lawsuit against them. The right authorities will serve the lawsuit, resulting in a court hearing in a couple of days.
If the court sides with you and you have all the appropriate legal documents, the squatters will get a notice for X number of days to evict the property before the authorities take action and change the locks. Furthermore, if the squatters do not leave after this, it might be necessary to enlist the services of the police to have the squatters forcibly removed.
While this process is particularly useful, it can take a bit of time and is expensive. Thankfully, new legislation enables you to evict a squatter trespassing in just 72 hours.
Steps to evicting a squatter in Colorado
- File a Form JDF-153 (Removal of Unauthorized Person(s))
- Fill out Form JDF 148 – Complaint In Removal Of Unauthorized Person(s)
- Form JDF 152 – Writ of Restitution and Temporary Mandatory Injunction and Order
- Form JDF 151 – Notice of Hearing on Motion for Order to Remove Unauthorized Persons(s) Form JDF 150 – Motion for Order to Remove Unauthorized Person(s)
- Form JDF 149 – Summons in Removal of Unauthorized Person(s)
- Fill Affidavit Of Service
And the process begins!
Clean the House and Then Sell
After the criminal trespasser has been evicted, you should take the time to inspect your house and check for what damages the squatters caused to the vacant home. Generally, squatters tend to cause further damage to your house out of spite.
Begin the process by deep cleaning every inch of your home. When cleaning up, you should check with the authorities if you are allowed to throw away any belongings left behind or if there are some legal steps you must follow.
If the property is severely damaged, you should consider repairing it before placing it on the market. This makes perfect sense as everyone wants to buy a property that is in ideal condition. Moreover, fixing the house can be a great way to get a reasonable price as the property owner.
Nevertheless, if the ordeal with the squatters has incurred significant repair and legal expenses, you might want to sell the house as-is rather than renovating it. You should consider selling the house to a real estate investor or a cash buyer, as they are likely to buy it in its current condition and renovate it before placing it on the market.