What do squatter's rights refer to?

Squatter's rights primarily refer to legal principles that allow individuals to claim ownership of land after having occupied it for a certain period of time, under specific conditions. This concept stems from the idea that if someone occupies a property openly, continuously, and without the permission of the owner, they may be able to establish a claim to that property through a legal process known as adverse possession.

This process generally requires that the squatter's possession of the property be exclusive, continuous, and be done in a manner that is visible and notorious to others. If these conditions are met over a statutory period, which varies by jurisdiction, the squatter may be able to gain legal ownership of the property.

In contrast, merely occupying land without permission does not automatically confer rights — it is the subsequent legal principles that come into play if the occupation meets the established criteria over time. Other options provided refer to different situations, such as tenants' rights which are distinct from those associated with squatter’s rights, as tenants are legally permitted to occupy a property under the terms of a lease.