Cal. Civ. Code § 32-31-12-2
"Squatter"
Operative Text
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "squatter" means an individual who: (1) occupies the property of another person; (2) does not have a rental agreement, permission of the property owner, or any other property interest authorizing the individual to occupy the other person's property; and (3) has never had a rental agreement, permission of the property owner, or any other property interest that authorized the individual to occupy the other person's property. The term does not include a person whose rental agreement has expired or who may have violated the rental agreement, or a person who is an invitee on the real property.
Indiana Code § 32-31-12-2 establishes a specific legal definition of the term 'squatter' for purposes of the chapter in which it appears. Under this definition, a squatter is someone who occupies another person's property without ever having had any rental agreement, owner permission, or other property interest allowing that occupancy. Importantly, the definition explicitly excludes holdover tenants whose leases have expired, tenants who may have violated their lease, and invited guests — those individuals are governed by different legal frameworks.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ind. Code § 32-31-12-2, property owners and managers should understand that the 'squatter' classification applies only to individuals who have never had any authorized connection to the property — not to former tenants or lease violators. Compliant operators typically keep clear records of all rental agreements, permissions granted, and invitee status so they can accurately distinguish a squatter from a holdover tenant, which determines which legal removal process applies. Misclassifying a former tenant as a squatter could mean using the wrong legal procedure, so operators generally review this definition carefully before proceeding.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ind. Code § 32-31-12-2 provides important protections by clarifying who does and does not qualify as a 'squatter' under Indiana law. If a person has ever had a rental agreement with the property owner — even one that has since expired or been violated — they fall outside this statutory definition and retain rights associated with the tenant-landlord relationship rather than being treated as a squatter. Tenants who believe they are being misclassified under this provision may find it useful to gather documentation of any prior rental agreement or permission and to consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Indiana housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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