Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have brought to life a new Hulu docuseries that sheds light on the distressing issue of squatters, a phenomenon that has left many homeowners grappling with lost properties and stark realities. Titled **Squatters: Get the F*** Out of My House**, the six-part exploration delves into real-life cases where individuals have taken advantage of legal snares to usurp homes. Ripa and Consuelos, who serve as executive producers for the series, spoke with PEOPLE about their eye-opening experiences during the production process.
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The pair found themselves profoundly affected by the stories presented throughout the docuseries, as Ripa emotionally recounted, “If something is unjust, it enrages me.” Many accounts left her feeling indignant, shaking with anger at the injustices faced by many homeowners. The series, now available for streaming on Hulu, takes viewers through various instances where legitimate homeowners battled to reclaim their properties from those who have allegedly exploited tenant laws.
For Consuelos, the gravity of the situation was made clear during their research. He expressed incredulity at the legal complexities surrounding the eviction process, admitting, “Oh, I would be in so much trouble if this happened to me.” Many expect the process of removing squatters to be straightforward, but he underscores that the situation is far more complicated than one might initially think.
The inspiration for the docuseries traces back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ripa stumbled upon an article in Vanity Fair discussing a high-profile squatting case in Malibu. Recognising the potential for a deeper narrative, she was motivated to delve further into this pressing issue that remained largely in the shadows of public awareness. She reflected on the initial reaction, stating, “This is something. We have to make this into something. This is wild.”
Across the series, viewers will encounter a variety of distressing stories. One particularly harrowing account comes from a Queens homeowner who was arrested while attempting to reclaim her property after a squatter had declared legal residency. Ripa noted that despite following the correct procedures, the homeowner was handcuffed instead. For Consuelos, this case stood out among the series, as he empathised with the affected individuals, remarking, “They’re selling the house. And next thing you know, the locks are changed on their house.”
The docuseries also uncovers narratives from across the United States, including a Malibu homeowner whose life spirals into chaos due to a squatter exploiting legal protections, and a Florida resident fighting an exhausting 36-day battle against alleged squatters. Another case involves a Newark resident whose attempts to reclaim her first home escalated into a tense standoff with the S.W.A.T. team. This myriad of stories has made it abundantly clear to Ripa and Consuelos that the issue extends far beyond isolated incidents, creating a wider concern across communities.
As the creators delved deeper into the topic, their shock grew along with their awareness. Consuelos remarked, “We’re just scratching the surface, honestly.” Their investigation revealed that the challenges posed by squatters are not restricted to individual states but manifest in various forms across different communities.
Ripa’s disquiet over the destructiveness exhibited by some squatters resonated throughout the conversation. She described the extent of the damage endured by homeowners, lamenting the audacity of criminals who not only occupy homes but also cause significant property loss. “They’re destroying the property value of your home by taking all of the appliances out of your home,” she explained, citing examples of fixtures and furnishings being stripped away.
As viewers prepare to tune into the series, Consuelos anticipates they will share the same frustration and disbelief he and Ripa felt throughout the filming. “You can’t believe that they actually got away with this,” he noted. For audiences, the revelations are sure to inspire both outrage and intrigue, culminating in a compelling narrative that goes beyond mere entertainment.
Through **Squatters: Get the F*** Out of My House**, Ripa and Consuelos aim to not only highlight this pressing social issue but also foster conversation around the challenges homeowners face in an increasingly complex legal landscape. As the series unfolds, it is expected to leave a lasting impact on viewers while shining a light on the urgent need for change in the treatment of property rights.