A New York City couple’s plan to move into a $2 million dream home to retire in with their disabled son has become a “nightmare” as they battle a squatter who claims he had an agreement with the previous owner.
Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, purchased the home next to family members in the quiet New York City residential neighborhood of Douglaston Queens in October 2023, ABC 7 reported.
Close to relatives, the location was perfect for their son Alex, who has Down Syndrome and could be easily looked after if something was ever to happen to the couple.
“I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he’s next to his brother,” Susana Landa told the outlet Wednesday.
The couple, however, has yet to move into the multi-million dollar home four months after signing the deed as they try to get rid of squatter Brett Flores.
“It has become a nightmare, a total nightmare,” homeowner Josepha Landa told the outlet Wednesday.
Flores, 32, was hired on a $3,000-a-week salary by the former homeowner as his caretaker until the man died in Jan. 2023, court documents obtained by the outlet show.
The squatter claims to have a “license” to stay in the house from the dead former owner.
“We couldn’t believe it, we could not believe it,” Susana said.
Flores has also been living in the home since the former owner died, which has also caused a major headache while they try to get him out.
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,” according to New York squatter’s rights.
The homeowners gave Flores a 10-day notice to leave and then tried to enter the property alongside an insurance inspector, but he called the cops on them.
Even though the Landas never had an agreement with Flores as a tenant, police could not evict the squatter.
“If you have no lease and you’re not paying rent, what is your right?” Joseph said.
Flores has also listed rooms for rent at the property for other people.
An online listening shows Flores advertising “The Prince Room” for $50 a night to males, females, couples, families, or students looking for a place to stay at the couple’s home.
The Landas have also been left footing all the bills for the property, including thousands of dollars in utilities.
Susana Landa claims Flores has been “leaving windows open 24 hours,” which has racked up a hefty heating bill.
“It’s very crazy, our system is broken,” Susana said. “I never would imagine we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.”
The couple has had five hearings in civil court since they bought the home, but the process keeps getting held up by Flores’ antics.
He showed up for court without an attorney on Jan. 9, 2024, preventing any legal proceedings.
Most recently, he filed for bankruptcy, which automatically allowed him to stay in the home.
“When a residential tenant files a bankruptcy petition, an automatic stay prevents the landlord from bringing or continuing a case to obtain possession and from enforcing a judgment obtained before the commencement of the bankruptcy case,” according to New York City law.
The purpose is to allow “the debtor a breathing spell from his creditors.”
“It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair, and not able to do anything,” Joseph told the outlet.
The couple are taking Flores to landlord-tenant court in hopes of getting him evicted, but the court hearing is not until April.
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