Flash Shelton has taken matters into his own hands when it comes to squatters, using his own experience with the illegal tenants to help homeowners across the state of California.

Affectionately known by many as "The Squatter Hunter," Shelton gives squatters a taste of their own medicine as he looks to drive them out of the homes they've taken over without any real threat of legal consequence.

"All I'm doing is becoming a squatter and flipping this process on them," Shelton said. "I figured if they could take a house, I could take a house."

Shelton has been busy taking back properties across the West Coast for the last year, starting his mission after a squatter invaded his mother's home that they were trying to sell.

In response, Shelton had his mother give him a lease for the home so that he could move in — making things very uncomfortable for the squatter.

"I'm not going in and I'm not hurting anyone. I'm not kicking them out, I'm not throwing them out," Shelton said.

Instead, he's turning the tables, forcing those squatters to go to court in order to fight to get the property for themselves, as opposed to the homeowner having to go to court to get them out.

Since posting his first video on YouTube more than a year ago, Shelton has been able to do it a dozen more times.

He makes his way into homes occupied by squatters, squatting along side them until he can force them to leave. He brings cameras, recording every moment as he creates as many minor nuisances as he can until they get fed up with him.

Shelton says that the issue isn't isolated in California, and that the United Nations estimates there are at least a billion squatters worldwide.

As he continues to fight on his own terms, he's pushing for lawmakers to make things more official.

"Squatters laws never were intended for residential properties," he said. "They were never intended to support breaking into someone's house."

Shelton contends that there needs to be a clearer definition between tenant rights and squatter rights.

"It needs to be separated out to where squatting — criminal tenants serve civil process."

When the law fails to provide justice, the people will provide their own. I've watched his video several times. Fortunately, in my area the cops will toss squatters, as long as you catch them fairly soon after they break in.

That's the way it should be. If the house owner illegally tosses someone, then the squatter/whoever should have to take them to court to prove they had a right to be there.

We also need to expedite the eviction process for non-payment of rent. Most evictions are a slam dunk in the LL's favor due to unpaid rent, so it's a costly waste of everyone's time to delay. This is why I will NOT take anyone with an eviction any more. I don't care how long ago it was or even if it's paid off. It's too risky to let someone in once they've learned how to work the system to their benefit. They can rent from the slummer who doesn't care or buy their own house.

I LOVE it!

I've had it worse due to Past April laws allowing me after 3.5 years to start the eviction process. The Squatter/Tenant then file restraining orders saying I'm staking them, trying to take sexual advantage of them and turn off their utilities. Then the Health Department orders me to turn on water, power and heat into my name and pay the monthly bills. I tell them to go to He_l (devil).

Saw the video and cheered!

I don't recommend his approach. I'm surprised that in Crazy Cali he was not charged or sued.

Watched a video about a huge Beverly Hills?? mansion taken over by a group of squatters. Fun to see a SWAT team approach the home.

Oher than a few homeless people over the years (we just set their stuff outside and change the locks) I've only had one that became a problem.

Bought a house, deadbeat son would not leave. Decided to just keep it legal and evict him, even hired an atty. Judge dismissed the case, with the deadbeat sitting right there, because there was "No LL/T relationship."

Refiled with the higher court, had to wait 60 days for a hearing, filed for EJECTMEN. The smarter Judge told him to get out THAT DAY.