A New York couple has hired security to help evict a squatter from their $2 million dream home, as they pay for his utilities.
Susana and Joseph Landa, aged 68, have been barred from entering their Douglaston, Queens, residence since finalizing the purchase in October.
In New York City, squatters have rights after living on the premises for 30 days, and it is "unlawful for any person to evict or attempt to evict an occupant of a dwelling unit who has lawfully occupied the dwelling unit for thirty consecutive days or longer," as noted in the New York squatters’ rights page, so the Landa family has been unable to get the freeloading man out of their property.
As reported by the New York Post, a security guard took post outside the mansion on Thursday, following reports that the former homeowner’s caretaker, Brett Flores, refused to vacate the premises.
"I work for the owner of the house. These people are good people, it is a shame what is going on," the guard told the Daily Mail.
"There are probably two people [in the house]. It shouldn’t be happening. Whoever made those [squatters’ rights] rules up is smoking some kind of crack."
While declining to disclose his identity, the guard confirmed his involvement in high-profile cases, including guarding Bill Gates’ daughter’s wedding in 2021.
The couple had purchased the house next to family members in the NYC neighborhood of Douglaston, Queens, om order to ensure their son Alex, who has Down syndrome, could easily be taken care of if anything happened to them, ABC 7 reported.
"I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he’s next to his brother," Susana said, per the outlet.
The security reinforcement marks the latest in a series of desperate measures by the Landas family to reclaim their property from the squatter, who served as caretaker for the previous owner until his death in January 2023.
Flores, 32, maintains that the former owner granted him a "license" to reside in the house, despite the Landas’ lawful acquisition of the property in October.
The squatter, besides incurring expenses on the Landas' behalf, is reportedly advertising rooms in the mansion for rent.
Efforts to evict Flores have been in vain, as his recent bankruptcy declaration shields him from eviction.
Despite attending five civil court hearings since purchasing the property, the Landas remain entangled in legal limbo due to Flores’ plotting.
The couple intends to pursue Flores in landlord-tenant court with hopes of securing his eviction, though the court date isn't until April.
"It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair, and not able to do anything," Joseph Landa expressed.
The house has fallen into disrepair and security cameras have been put around the perimeter. Despite a storm blowing through the area, the windows were reportedly left open, causing damage to the property and running up bills.
Not only are the couple unable to get Flores out of their home, but they are also paying the utility bills in order to keep the house in a somewhat liveable condition, per the Daily Mail.
"It's very crazy, our system is broken," Susana Landa said. "I never would imagine we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero."
"It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair, and not able to do anything," her husband added.
When contacted for comment, Flores' attorney told 7 On Your Side investigators: "No comment".
