By STAFF WRITER
•
19 Apr, 2024
Queens Family's Ordeal: Celebrity Security Hired To Protect $2M Home From Squatter ISSUES IN QUEENS: FAMOUS SECURITY FIRM HIRED TO PROTECT MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR HOME FROM SQUATTER In a unique turn of events, Joseph and Susana Landa, a Queens couple, have felt forced to employ a famous security service to protect their $2 million Douglaston home, unexpectedly usurped by a squatter. The severity of their circumstances is highlighted by this severe measure, framing the intricacies of squatter's rights laws in New York. These laws guarantee rights to squatters after 30 days of residency, creating obstacles for homeowners seeking to take back their properties. This legal environment for SQUATTERS Rights in New York and United States: Landa's family feels courned, causing them to resort to renowned security measures. Hiring a high-profile security service isn't only about maintaining physical safety; it's also a symbolic act aimed at discouraging further illegal occupation while emphasizing the serious approach the family is taking. The family's hardships spotlight the escalating difficulties homeowners encounter while defending their properties from unauthorized habitation and the great lengths they'll cross to work through these legal and personal disputes. The alleged squatter, Brett Flores, together with his attorney Dennis O'Sullivan, appeared at Queens Civil County for a scheduled hearing in the case. However, they did not divulge much about the situation. Court records reveal that Flores used to work as a caretaker for the previous homeowner, Bernard Fernandez, who died in 2023, earning $3,000 per week. Despite Fernandez's demise, Flores continued to live in the property. When the house went on sale, it was purchased by the Landa family. Susana Landa stresses that they were unaware of the problem they were taking on when they bought the property and expresses frustration with the current system, indicating that they feel they have no rights. Understanding Squatters' Rights In New York: A 30-Day Legal Shield In the complex legal landscape of New York, squatters' rights have emerged as a particularly contentious area, especially when juxtaposed against the backdrop of high-profile property disputes. Under New York law, squatters can gain certain legal protections after residing in a property for an uninterrupted period, notably marked at 30 days. This temporal threshold establishes a significant legal shield for squatters, granting them rights that can complicate eviction processes for property owners. This 30-day rule is not an automatic grant of ownership but rather a preliminary step towards acquiring "adverse possession, " a legal principle that could potentially allow squatters to claim ownership after meeting specific criteria over an extended period. During these initial 30 days, evicting squatters requires more than just a simple call to law enforcement; property owners must navigate through legal procedures that recognize the squatter's temporary rights. This framework aims to balance the interests between protecting property owners and preventing unjust or precipitous eviction of individuals who have established residence in unused or abandoned properties. The Battle For Ownership: How A Queens Family Lost Control Of Their Home In the heart of Queens, New York, a family's nightmare unfolded as they lost control over their $2 million home to an unexpected intruder. This wasn't a case of burglary or theft in the traditional sense, but rather a legal battle against a squatter who had cleverly exploited New York's 30-day occupancy laws to claim rights over their property. The family, bewildered and desperate, found themselves on the losing side of an arcane legal system that seemed to favor those who manipulate its loopholes. As days turned into weeks, the squatter entrenched themselves further, transforming the family’s cherished home into their stronghold. In response to this unprecedented invasion of their privacy and ownership rights, the family resorted to hiring a celebrity security guard in a bid to safeguard what was left of their dignity and property. This move underscored not only the gravity of their plight but also highlighted the absurdity of having to defend one’s home from being usurped under one’s very nose. Meet The Celebrity Security Guard Tasked With Reclaiming The $2M Queens Residence