Synopsis: If a private property owner finds squatters (unauthorized persons) living without permission in their property, and the squatter has ignored eviction notices, the owner can file an affidavit with the courts, and police have 24 hours from the filing of the affidavit to remove the squatter. There's no liability to the property owner for damage to the squatter's belongings.

House Bill 96 was vetoed by Governor Stein on July 6, 2025, due to a last-minute amendment about pet stores. The Senate brought back the original verbiage and Governor Stein signed Senate Bill 55 on August 6, 2025, with an effective date of December 1, 2025.

This is so incredibly important for the safety and security of home- and property-owners! Whenever I leave the house for long periods of time, my biggest worry is that it'll be occupied by someone else when I return!

Currently, North Carolina treats squatters like rent-overdue tenants. Court proceedings can last weeks to years in litigation, and the homeowner is out a home and their belongings for the entire duration.

When I attended my final 2025 Patriot Academy Leadership Congress in Fredericksburg, TX, I pitched my K.A.S.T.L.E. bill: "Keep All Squatters Totally Living Elsewhere." Not quite like HB96, my bill allowed homeowners to directly engage the police for eviction assistance, and permitted homeowners to take steps to non-violently drive out the squatters, such as changing the locks or turning off utilities. My bill passed by a comfortable 2/3 majority and was signed by the Leadership Congress Governor!

To find your State Representative or Senator:

https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators

Bill:

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/h96