The short answer: Implement a strict "28-Day Firewall" protocol for all mid-term stays. This involves three non-negotiable layers: automated criminal background checks, mandatory digital lease signing before access, and hard stops on bookings exceeding 28 days without vetting. This process prevents guests from establishing legal tenancy rights.
The "Tenancy Trap" is Real, and It's Expensive
In 2026, the regulatory landscape regarding "squatter's rights" is a patchwork of chaos. While states like Florida and Georgia have passed recent legislation (like FL HB 621) to expedite removal, many jurisdictions still operate under antiquated laws where a guest transforms into a "tenant" simply by staying 30 consecutive days. Once that threshold is crossed, you are no longer a host; you are a landlord.
The consequences of missing this deadline are severe. In tenant-friendly states like California and New York, police cannot remove a squatter without a court order. As of early 2026, the average contested eviction process drags on for 8 to 11 months and costs property owners upwards of $10,500 in legal fees and lost revenue. Most manual screening methods, glancing at a profile photo or relying on OTA "identity verified" badges, are insufficient to detect professional squatters who know exactly how to game the system.
The Solution: Constructing the 28-Day Firewall
You cannot rely on hope or police intervention to protect your asset. You need a legally defensible automated protocol. Here is how to build a firewall using SuiteVerify.
- Automated Criminal & Eviction Screening
- Standard OTA background checks often miss civil eviction records. SuiteVerify runs a deep scan on every booking, specifically flagging prior eviction filings and criminal history. If a guest has a history of overstaying or lease violations, the system flags them before they ever receive an access code.
- The "Digital Handshake" (Mandatory Leases)
- Never allow a stay over 28 days without a signed rental agreement. For any booking approaching this duration, SuiteVerify automatically triggers a requirement for a digitally signed lease. This document explicitly defines the stay as temporary and transient, preventing the automatic accrual of tenancy rights. No signature? No smart lock code.
- Hard Access Control
- Integration with SuiteConnect ensures that access codes expire precisely at checkout time. Unlike manual keypad management, which leaves room for human error, automated expiration prevents a guest from "accidentally" staying an extra night and ticking over into tenancy status.
Manual Risk vs. Automated Protection
- Screening: Trusting OTA badges → SuiteVerify checks distinct eviction databases
- Legal Status: Verbal/Implied agreement → Signed Digital Rental Agreement
- Access Control: Code remains active indefinitely → SuiteConnect auto-revokes access
- Risk Exposure: 6-12 month eviction battle → Immediate trespassing enforcement
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