It is a problem that creeps up on landlords from time to time that is not fun to deal with... Squatters.

A vacant rental property on Minerva Drive is no longer vacant after unknown persons moved into the home and even had their utilities turned on. The problem is, the home was never rented out to the unknown persons who literally made themselves at home.

The owner of the home told police he found out that someone moved into his property by way of a phone call from a neighboring tenant. So, the landlord called the utility department to find out who moved into his home without paying an application fee, deposit or rent. The utility company told the victim that they could not divulge such information without legal documents.

The next phone call was to Murfreesboro Police. Officers told the homeowner that he would have to file an eviction notice through the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office to get the non-paying surprise resident out of his duplex.

As for how the new renter got into the home, that is unknown. The house was locked up tight, but they somehow got in and are now living there.

Source:

MPD Incident 17-13819