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surge in squatting activity is overwhelming institutional investors in Atlanta's residential real estate market. Property owners and managers are struggling to remove unauthorized occupants from vacant rental homes, with evictions often taking several months due to legal delays. The National Rental Home Council estimates that over 1,200 homes in the area have had recent squatters, a higher number than any other city they track.

    The problem is particularly acute in Atlanta, where institutional landlords collectively own more than 72,000 homes. South Fulton Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis attributes the issue to the area's lack of affordable housing, which has led to a spike in homelessness. Residential rents have jumped 34% since the pandemic began, outpacing the national average.

    Major rental companies like Starwood Capital Group and Cerberus Capital Management are dealing with squatters occupying dozens of their properties. To address the issue, some landlords are turning to alternative strategies, such as implementing technological solutions to prevent squatters from entering homes in the first place. For example, FirstKey Homes has introduced smart-home equipment and notification systems designed to monitor vacant properties.

    However, technology can also be a problem, as self-showing technology allows potential tenants to access homes using temporary codes, which can be exploited by squatters. Landlords are facing significant financial losses due to lost rental income and property damage caused by squatters. In some cases, evictions have taken months or even years to complete, resulting in extensive property damage.