Michigan Squatters' Rights

When the term "squatters' rights" is used, it typically refers to the law of adverse possession. Adverse possession occurs when a trespasser actually obtains title to someone else's property by using it in a specific way for a specific period of time. Squatters' rights in Michigan are similar to those in other states that allow adverse possession, and like in other states, obtaining title by adverse possession in Michigan is very difficult.

Read More: Difference Between Trespassing & Criminal Trespassing

"Squatters' rights" is simply a colloquialism for the concept of adverse possession. Adverse possession is the ability of a trespasser to obtain actual title to the property on which he trespasses. The law of adverse possession in states where permitted is similar in a lot of ways, but every state has its own specific requirements and its own interpretation of what those requirements mean.

Read More: How to Take Property by Adverse Possession

Michigan squatters' law requires that, for a trespasser to obtain title to someone else's property, she must prove in court that her use of the property was:

• Actual.
• Hostile to the true owner's interest.
• Visible, open and notorious.
• Exclusive.
• Continuous and uninterrupted for the statutory period, which in Michigan is 15 years.

To start, a trespasser must have actual possession of the property before he can claim title by adverse possession. This means that the trespasser is on the property and treats it as if it's his own, and if the true owner discovered him, the owner would have a cause of action for trespass.

The "hostile" requirement does not actually mean aggression or ill will; it simply means that the true owner has not given the trespasser permission to use or occupy the property, and the trespasser is using it as her own with no intent to leave.

If the true owner gives the trespasser permission to use the property, the use is not hostile, and the trespasser cannot take title by adverse possession. The same is true if the squatter is on the property but intends to leave if discovered by the true owner, because the squatter intends to defer to the owner's interest.

The trespasser must also establish that his use of the property is visible, open and notorious. His activities on the property must be such that a reasonable person would be aware that someone is using or occupying the property. The trespasser cannot hide his use or occupancy of the property.

The trespasser must also prove that her use of the property has been exclusive, meaning no one else was occupying or using the property at the same time as she, including the true owner. If the property owner is also using the property at the same time as the trespasser, there is no adverse possession claim (although the trespasser may have a prescriptive easement claim, which is adverse possession for a particular use of land rather than the entire property).

Finally, the trespasser must use the property continuously and without interruption for 15 years. Sporadic use of the property is not enough.

If a trespasser has met all the elements under Michigan squatters law, she will have to bring an action to quiet title before she can claim to own the property. This is a lawsuit brought in the circuit court of the county where the property is located. The true owner will have the opportunity to respond, and a judge will decide whether the elements of adverse possession have been met. If so, a judgment will be entered granting title in the property to the trespasser.

Read More: What is a Quiet Title?