Criminal Law - Fraud - Conveyance, Lease, or Possession of Residential Real Property

HB 202 makes it a crime to fraudulently sell, lease, or claim ownership of residential property you do not legally own or have authority to transfer. It prohibits obtaining property through deception, intimidation, threat, or undue influence, and bans possessing property without legal right to defraud others. Violations of the new provisions (Sections 8-906 and 8-907) carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison for felony acts (like fake deeds) or up to 6 months for misdemeanor possession claims. Property owners can now file a sworn affidavit to have sheriffs remove occupants who illegally claim property rights, while still allowing standard wrongful detainer lawsuits.