A quiet afternoon took a wild turn on Kendall Avenue when a property owner made a disturbing discovery: someone had busted out a window and turned his building into a squatters’ den!
Just after 1:30 PM, the concerned owner called Portsmouth Police to report the break-in at his vacant property in the 1100 block of Kendall. He told officers he feared squatters had moved in—and he was absolutely right.
When officers arrived, they didn’t find anyone inside—but it was clear someone had made themselves way too comfortable. The mystery trespasser had set up shop inside, complete with signs of full-on “housekeeping.”
This wasn’t just a trespass—it was a hostile home takeover.
Police called in Portsmouth City Code Enforcement, and officials wasted no time taking action. They condemned the property on the spot and posted official warning signs. Plans are now in motion to secure the building and lock out any unwanted visitors.
🏚️ Suspect a Squatter? Here’s What You Need to Know:
Squatting isn’t just a big-city problem anymore. In towns like Portsmouth, vacant homes are easy targets for people looking to live rent-free. But squatters can quickly become a homeowner’s legal and financial nightmare.
If you suspect squatters in your neighborhood, here’s what you should do:
🔍 Look for signs: Broken windows, lights on in an abandoned house, strange people coming and going, or furniture being moved in.
📸 Document everything: Take photos or video of suspicious activity—but from a safe distance.
📞 Call police immediately: Do not confront squatters yourself. Let law enforcement handle it.
📣 Alert Code Enforcement: If a property is clearly unsafe or unsecured, call your local code enforcement office to report it.
🔒 Secure your property: If you own a vacant building, board up windows and doors, install security cameras, and consider motion-activated lights.
🚫 Know the law: In Ohio, squatting doesn’t give someone ownership rights unless they’ve occupied the property continuously and openly for 21 years. That’s a long time—but the longer they stay, the harder it can be to remove them.
