Latest Home Rentals News | 91��

Landlord in a tenant's home for repairs was caught on a security camera getting it on with a woman instead

Wed, 20 May 2026 12:57:39 -0400

A married couple in Westland, Michigan, asked their landlord to make some repairs to the home they rent. Some birds had made their way into the attic and needed to be removed after they had died.

The landlord did stop by, and I'm assuming he took care of the dead birds in the attic situation, but that's not all he did while he was there. He also spent about an hour making himself at home with a woman.

We're talking fully naked, feet in the air, right in front of the couple's security camera, which is the only reason the couple knows their landlord was providing services in the home other than to the attic.

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Javon Crawford and his wife were at the hospital visiting a sick grandmother at the time. Alerts from the security camera to his wife's phone revealed what was going on inside the home they rent.

"He was walking back and forth naked. I think he was making a sandwich — I don't know," Crawford told FOX 2 Detroit. "She just pointed the phone to me and I seen him just doing what he was going right here. Yes, live footage, time stamped and everything."

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The comfort in which the landlord conducted his business inside the home had Crawford wondering whether the landlord had done this sort of thing before. That's probably a safe assumption.

The couple handed over the amateur X-rated security footage to police, although it isn’t certain that a crime had been committed by the landlord. It's likely it is, at the very least, a violation of the lease agreement occurred.

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I'd imagine there isn't a specific "the landlord shall not bang in the home while there are tenants living there" line in the lease agreement. That's, one would think, understood or covered under a broader rule mentioned in the agreement.

Something tells me there's a free month of rent or the return of a security deposit in this couple's future.

AOC’s housing agenda under fire after NYC hotel rates jump 12%

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:28:16 -0400

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., escalated her criticism of billionaires and short-term rental companies as the debate intensified over housing affordability and economic policy.

"Take Airbnb," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. "They heavily lobby politicians against passing housing laws to protect working class residents because it’s bad for their business model."

The Washington Post editorial board called out the New York Democrat, writing, "Airbnb is a particularly strange example for the congresswoman. Her city effectively banned the platform in 2023 in response to a lobbying campaign by hotels."

"Has housing become abundant and affordable in Gotham?" the Post continued. "Of course not, but taking thousands of units off the market has made it a lot harder to find a reasonably priced hotel. Room rates have risen 12.6 percent since the law took effect, compared to 3.6 percent nationwide."

AOC CALLED OUT FOR CLAIM THAT BILLIONAIRES 'CAN'T EARN' THEIR WEALTH AS SHE DOUBLES DOWN ON REMARKS

Ocasio-Cortez argued the short-term rental giant has expanded by benefiting from housing shortages and displacement in communities across the United States.

"Airbnb could not exist at its current scale and size without the housing market destabilizations, displacements, and exploits that are supercharging the evictions of working people everywhere from Puerto Rico to Jackson Hole," she said.

The comments came during an online exchange with Paul Graham, a prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneur and co-founder of Y Combinator, over whether billionaires can ethically earn their wealth through innovation and business growth.

"Sure you can earn a billion dollars," Graham said. "I’ve been teaching people how to do it for 20 years. The way you do it is to start a company that grows fast. You don’t have to do anything bad to make a company grow fast. You just have to make something people want."

Ocasio-Cortez rejected Graham's argument, saying rapid corporate growth often depends on accumulating political and market power.

"Someone can certainly make a billion dollars. That’s not the same thing as earning," Ocasio-Cortez wrote.

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"Growing fast and disrupting markets also often means chasing and wielding market power, political influence, and scale."

AOC argued younger Americans are increasingly locked out of homeownership because of investor activity and rising housing costs.

"Now young people are planning for a future where they will never be able to afford to own a home while others have 20 and live off renting it out to them at extortionate rates with zero protections," Ocasio-Cortez said.

"Yes, a tiny amount of people can make billions of dollars doing that. And millions of everyday Americans are bearing the cost."

WASHINGTON POST BLASTS RENT CONTROL AS 'FAILED POLICY' THAT LEAVES RENTERS 'WORSE OFF' THAN BEFORE

The exchange sparked criticism from investors and tech executives who defended Airbnb hosts and the broader startup economy. Michael Seibel, a partner at Y Combinator, argued many Airbnb users are ordinary homeowners attempting to supplement their income.

"The housing in Airbnb isn’t controlled by some ‘evil public corporation’ — it’s controlled by normal citizens trying to pay their bills," Seibel said.

Ocasio-Cortez later clarified that her criticism was aimed at larger systemic incentives rather than individual property owners.

"It’s not about individual morality," Ocasio-Cortez said. "It’s about exploiting the landscape."

Seibel later pushed back again, questioning whether users themselves bear responsibility for Airbnb’s growth and success.

"Why are you ignoring the users of companies?" Seibel said. "Airbnb cannot survive without its users. Are they exploiting the landscape?"

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When reached for comment, Airbnb referred 91�� Digital to a social media post from Taylor Marr, the company's senior housing economist, who pushed back on claims that the platform is fueling the housing crisis and said many hosts rely on the income to offset rising living expenses and stay in their homes.

"Last year, the typical U.S. host on Airbnb made $16,000 for opening up their home for a few days a year," Marr said. "At a time of rising costs, that money is a lifeline."

"The idea that Airbnb causes the housing crisis is wrong," Marr said. "In the more than two years since NYC all but banned Airbnb, rent has gone up 8.1% — above the national average — while vacancies have gone down."

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91�� Digital reached out to and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.

Major city doubles its visitor tax to become one of highest amid overtourism concerns

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 10:07:09 -0500

As popular vacation destinations continue their crackdown on overtourism, one major city has recently raised its traveler tax — making it one of the highest in Europe.

The city of Barcelona, Spain, has nearly doubled its hotel guest tax, from $5-$9 to $10-$17 per person, per night — while holiday rentals rose from 12.5 euros per night, up from $7.24 to a maximum of $14.49, Reuters reported.

The change follows overcrowding concerns from local residents due to the high number of visitors and a shortage of affordable housing for native Spaniards.

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Barcelona citizens held a large protest last summer, even spraying tourists with water guns, as 91�� Digital previously reported.

Demonstrators marched with signs saying, "One more tourist, one less resident," and "Tourist Go Home." The demonstrators are demanding a reworking of their local economy.

Andreu Martínez of Spain humorously said at the time that the use of squirt guns was to annoy the tourists a bit.

"Barcelona has been handed to the tourists," said Martínez. "This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents."

He said his rent had risen over 30%, with apartments in his neighborhood continually being rented out for short-term vacation use instead.

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The regional parliament of Catalonia said it is planning to ban all short-term rental accommodation by 2028.

Short-term rentals in Barcelona have been stagnant for years, remaining at around 10,000 since 2014, according to figures from Barcelona’s City Hall.

Barcelona city data indicates around 850,000 homes exist in Barcelona, making the 10,000 or so short-term rentals a fraction of total housing.

Italian nurse Irene Verrazzo, who traveled to the city, told Reuters that Barcelona was already very expensive. She said she would probably not visit again.

"I don’t think this added expense is fair," she told Reuters. "They already make money from tourists spending in shops, visiting their monuments, etc."

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Barcelona hotel owners have expressed concern the tax rise could deter too many tourists from visiting.

Manel Casals, Barcelona's hoteliers' group general director, told Reuters that proposals to monitor the taxes' impact and raise them gradually instead were ignored.

"One day, they will kill the goose that lays the golden eggs," said Casals.

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Last year, 96.8 million people visited Spain — with nearly 94 million visiting in 2024, according to government data.

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Reuters contributed reporting.

Tropical hotspot security alert warns of criminal gangs and 'armed robberies' at rental properties

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:50:14 -0500

The U.S. Embassy San Jose has issued a security alert for Costa Rica.

The alert was issued on Nov. 25, citing reports of recent property crimes, financial crimes and robberies.

"Tourists have reported break-ins and armed robberies at Airbnbs and other rental properties," the alert says.

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Nearly 3 million people visited Costa Rica in 2024, according to Instituto Costarricense de Turismo.

The alert adds that criminal gangs have forced travelers to withdraw large sums of cash from ATMs or by making bank transfers.

"Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches," the Embassy advises.

Tourists are encouraged to avoid traveling alone, to stay vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs and to never leave valuables unattended in vehicles.

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When renting a car, tourists are told to "double check [that the] vehicle is locked." The alert added that "thieves often use signal blockers to prevent vehicles from locking with key fobs."

As for financial crimes, tourists are encouraged to set daily withdrawal limits from bank accounts, minimize funds kept in any one account and discuss security strategies with their banks ahead of any trips.

The warm paradise is known for its beaches, rainforests, wildlife and adventure activities.

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While all-inclusive resorts are popular, there are hundreds of rental properties available.

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The alert tells tourists to research Airbnbs, rental properties and hotels in advance of trips.

"Ensure the property has strong security measures, and keep doors and windows locked," the advisory says.

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"Avoid properties with reviews that mention security incidents."

The U.S. State Department has had a Level 2 travel advisory in place since Dec. 10, 2024.

"Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica," says the advisory justification.

"Violent crime also affects tourists. This includes armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault."

Miniature horse can be a roommate in unusual home rental experience

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 13:26:09 -0500

A unique Airbnb in England offering the chance to spend the night in a barn with a miniature horse is available – for upwards of about $230 a night, SWNS reports.

Brittany Sparham, 28, started renting out her barn on the holiday site near Thurgarton, Nottinghamshire, during the pandemic due to an increase in the popularity of staycations.

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Since the rustic property would share its wall with the stables, the owner decided it would be fun to create a door so that visitors could see their equine neighbor, Basil.

Now, the barn has become extremely popular with animal lovers who want to spend a night with the 12-year-old miniature Shetland pony.

The vacation spot, which is on the grounds of a 17th-century manor, is available for a minimum of two nights starting from £360, or about $470.

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"At first we just had the idea to rent out the outbuilding, as there was a huge surge of people looking for staycations because of COVID," Sparham told SWNS.

"But with Basil's stable directly next to it we thought why not do something really unique and open up the doorway between the two rooms, so guests could see Basil."

After visitors began posting videos on social media, the stable stay took off in popularity, with Sparham saying the Airbnb is sometimes booked up a year in advance.

"It works out well for Basil too, as he always has company and gets lots of fuss and attention," she says.

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According to Sparham, Basil is a "very chilled individual" who loves playing out with his friends in the field during the day and gets very excited about coming into his stable at night.

"We just open the gate from the field, and he runs right in on his own, he knows he gets lots of attention and all the hay to himself for the night."

The barn is fitted with a kitchen, a bathroom, a double bed and bunk beds, which allow it to sleep four guests.

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Guests have access to an open outdoor log fire with BBQ grill and an outdoor tiki hut, and can take a stroll across the bridge to look at the cows, sheep and horses.

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Guests aren’t allowed to feed Basil, but his owners provide tools to brush him, and guests are welcome to help clear his stables if they desire.

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Since guests will be living with a horse, there is a chance of noises and smells, which the Airbnb makes explicitly clear.

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"From strangers sometimes it’s mixed reactions, people think it might smell or be too noisy, but everyone who stays loves it," Sparham says.

San Francisco lawyer says landlord has right to accept ‘only MAGA voters and Israel supporters’ to open house

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 09:00:47 -0400

A San Francisco lawyer says a landlord has the right to only allow "MAGA voters and Israel supporters" to attend an open house.

"From the tenant perspective, there isn't a violation here of California or federal law because political orientation is not a protected class," Joseph Tobener, a partner at Tobener Ravenscroft and tenant rights lawyer, told 91�� Digital on Thursday.

"So things that it might touch upon that are protected class would be ethnicity, source of income, religion," he added. "So there's some things that skirts around, but the words were such that they are all political orientation, which isn't a protected class and not a violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act in California. Now, with that said, I think what rubs people the wrong way is that we have a new housing shortage in San Francisco because of the AI boom."

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The San Francisco Standard reported Tuesday that Alexander Baran, 48, owns a two-bedroom apartment in Sunnyside and had listed it on Zillow, which has since been taken down.

The listing, which went up Aug. 5 and was removed on Sunday, allegedly said that "Only MAGA voters and Israel supporters are invited" to the open house.

When the San Francisco Standard went to visit Baran to speak to him about the listing, he allegedly said, "Get the f--- away from here. Don’t make me repeat myself."

Tobener, the tenant rights lawyer, said that the City by the Bay is "about a month into a major housing crisis where people are lining up 20 deep for a unit to try and get one unit or showing up and the unit's already rented."

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The concern that people have, he said, is landlords rejecting people that need housing due to their political views.

"Landlords have a lot of power right now. And so I think that's the concern from the tenant perspective," Tobener said. "Everybody should get a fair shake regardless of their political orientation. Everyone should be able to get access to housing. Housing is a fundamental right. Everyone needs housing. Everyone needs a roof over their heads. And so are we gonna start down this road where only certain people from certain political leanings can get access to certain housing."

To change the law and make political affiliation a protected class, Tobener said that the California state legislature would have to add political affiliations to the Fair Employment and Housing Act as a protected category.

That move, he said, would certainly be challenged and likely end up in the Supreme Court.

"I've been doing tenant rights law for 30 years and this will be the third tech boom in San Francisco, and it's a boom and bust city. It always has been since the Gold Rush and what we have right now is this major AI boom with a lot of people wanting to come work here," Tobener said.

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According to the Zumper National Rent Report, "San Francisco led the nation in annual rent growth, with one-bedroom rent up 13.3% and two-bedrooms surging 16.3%."

"First it was the dot-com boom, then it was a social media boom, and now it's the AI boom, and you're getting this circumstance where landlords have a lot of power," Tobener added. "There are a lot of people clamoring for one unit and, you know, we want to make sure that landlords don't, you know, step across the line. And housing is accessible to everyone regardless of, you know, what they think about the political climate."

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91�� Digital reached out to Baran for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Man goes viral on TikTok for claiming his home rental guests demanded 'weight accessible' accommodations

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 09:06:53 -0400

A man on TikTok has gone viral for claiming that he received a two-star review by guests online because his rental home was deemed not "weight accessible."

In a video that garnered over 20,000 likes and hundreds of comments, the host shared the grievances his guests supposedly communicated to him after their stay.

"I guess they were on the larger side and my house didn’t perfectly accommodate their size," said the host.

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He claimed the guests said they couldn’t fit through the doorway, after which the host commented, "I have standard door frames."

He also said the guests alleged that "some of the furniture seemed shaky at best, and we felt scared we were going to break it."

"And then they were like, ‘I noticed your egg chair on your deck had a weight limit of 330 pounds on it.’ That’s the manufacturer that puts that [there], not me, and that’s for one person," the host added.

"Then they were like, ‘Unfortunately, none of us could use that.’"

The TikToker host claimed the Airbnb guests said his bed was super soft and they felt like they were going to cave into the middle when they were both on it.

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"I might say this house isn’t a good fit for you," the host added in response, in part.

The host concluded that it was "not a learning lesson" for him — but "hopefully [it was] just for them."

91�� Digital reached out to the TikToker and Airbnb for comment.

The website of Airbnb lists various accessibility features that hosts can add to their listings.

Some related features potentially pertaining to guests who are of a larger size could be the width of the home.

The phrases "guest entrance wider than 32 inches" and "room entrance wider than 32 inches" are both listed.

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TikTokers took to the comments section to share their opinions on the matter.

"As a plus-sized person, I cannot imagine being this entitled," wrote one woman. "It’s no one’s job but mine to make sure it’s somewhere I’ll be comfortable."

A user asked, "If they couldn't fit through the door frame, how'd they know about the rest of the things?"

"Thank you for handling this with professionalism. Unfortunately, entitlement comes in all sizes," said one woman.

Another user wrote, "I'm plus size. This level of entitlement is crazy. I always check weight limits."

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Still another wrote, "I read the low reviews for this reason. Sometimes the issues do not apply to me."

A different TikToker wrote, "I think you should have very sturdy furniture if you’re going to [do] this. I think hotels use that kind of furniture."

Airbnb began in 2007 "when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe," the company notes on its website.

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"Every day, hosts offer unique stays, experiences and services that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way."

Home worth $1.6M with 7,000 books and floor-to-ceiling shelves touted for 'charm and character'

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:12:24 -0400

A so-called dream home for literature lovers has hit the market in Columbus, Ohio, packed wall to wall with more than 7,000 hardback books and dramatic floor-to-ceiling shelves — and it's listed for $1.6 million.

Nicknamed "The Book House," the home was custom-designed to evoke the feel of a historic German village cottage, according to news agency SWNS.

Though the building appears aged from the outside, with materials mirroring early 20th-century construction, it’s a modern dual-unit property with high-end features and built to function as a short-term luxury rental.

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Spanning 4,536 square feet, the residence has two living units with a total of eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, offering enough accommodations to sleep as many as 24 guests.

The property was reportedly imagined as an immersive design experience, with every detail merging "vintage character with modern convenience," said SWNS.

To bring his vision to life, developer Guy Marshall began collecting books for the project.

Eventually he amassed some 7,000 hardcover volumes, which he acquired for just 10 cents apiece, SWNS reported.

The books now line every room in the home, on shelves that reach floor to ceiling; they're accessed by rolling library ladders.

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The listing describes the property as an ideal entertaining space, with open layouts, modern amenities and a location just minutes from downtown Columbus, German Village, plus a nearby children’s hospital.

"One of the more notable features includes floor-to-ceiling bookshelves with library ladders and 7,000 plus hardcover books spanning every room," the listing reads.

Rental projections from short-term stay experts estimate the home could bring in approximately $273,000 in gross annual income, said SWNS.

Marshall said every element of the design was chosen deliberately.

That includes the exterior, which is made of concrete blocks dyed and finished to resemble aged masonry.

"The single-layer, one-foot-thick walls mirror those of buildings constructed in the early 1900s," he said, emphasizing an intent to channel the aesthetics and durability of historical craftsmanship, from antique lighting fixtures and custom ironwork to reclaimed barn beams and bespoke installations.

"My goal was to blend charm and character with the luxury and comfort expected in today’s most finely appointed homes," he said.

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Though it cost significantly more to build than a typical stick-frame house, Marshall said the extra investment was worth it to create something unique and memorable.

"That’s why I designed it to operate as a high-end short-term rental: to increase revenue and share it with guests from all over," he added.

The quirky home was recently featured on "Zillow Gone Wild" — which shared the comment, "Imagine sleeping surrounded by books. The dreams you will HAVE."

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In response to a social media post about the listing, a Facebook commenter wrote, "Just thinking about the amount of dust that collects on all those books makes me need to use my inhaler."

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Another person wrote, "3 things: Where's the kitchen sink? Where is the toilet? Can you imagine packing up all those books?? It's like moving a library."

Yet another person said simply, "I love it so much."

Airbnb deploys 'anti-party technology' for Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends

Tue, 20 May 2025 11:03:48 -0400

Starting right about now, Americans are enjoying the first of several summer holiday weekends — with some people celebrating with more than just a simple barbecue or quiet get-together.

As a result, Airbnb says it is looking to crack down on those who may be thinking of throwing "disruptive" parties this summer.

The booking site announced it will be rolling out "anti-party technology" during Memorial Day weekend as well as the July 4 weekend, according to a company press release.

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"Our anti-party technology is designed to help identify and prevent certain attempts to book one-to-two-night stays in entire home listings that could be higher risk for a disruptive party," the company noted.

Airbnb lists different examples of actions it says would make for a "disruptive party" with open-invite gatherings.

The California-based company listed a number of "disturbances" that could arise in surrounding communities.

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These can include excessive noise, visitors, trash, smoking and parking nuisances, trespassing and vandalism — as well as advertising listings using "party-friendly" or "event-friendly" terminology.

The technology, introduced in 2020, blocked or redirected 51,000 people from booking entire home listings over the 2024 holiday weekends due to these offenses.

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A massive 45.1 million Americans are set to travel at least 50 miles from their home during the long Memorial Day weekend, AAA announced.

Of the millions of Americans traveling, AAA predicts 3.61 million will be flying, 39.4 million will drive, and just over two million will be taking other forms of transportation.

Last year, Texas, Florida, and California were noted as the states with the most flagged guests suspected of "disruptive" parties.

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Airbnb told 91�� Digital earlier this week, "These measures announced this week are specifically for Memorial Day and July 4 weekends. If guests believe they were unfairly affected by these measures, we encourage them to reach out to our Community Support team directly."

Squatter exploits California laws targeting Malibu homeowners for decades

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 04:00:42 -0500

A Malibu real estate agent warned California homeowners about the need to protect themselves after a serial squatter reportedly targeted the beachfront community for years, a problem she said could become worse after the Los Angeles wildfires.

"I don't know how she got away with it for so long in Malibu with the amount of people that she did," Liz Benichou, a Malibu real estate agent and lifelong resident of the area, explained to 91�� Digital about the accusations against Ellie Mae McNulty. "It's a very small, tight-knit community. You see the same people. You get this familiarity. You think that everyone's like you because we're all doing the same thing, so you kind of gain that trust. You live in this bubble in Malibu."

McNulty, an actor and screenwriter, according to her biography, allegedly swindled dozens of Malibu homeowners over the last decade, charming her way into their lives before becoming a nightmare roommate, Vanity Fair first reported.

"First of all, how she's been able to do this for so many years without getting caught, I think that just has to do with her overall charm. I think she's a predator, and she finds people that are weak that she can prey on," Benichou said.

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According to Vanity Fair, McNulty met 65-year-old Alden Marin in 2021 at a beach at Point Dume, where the two shared a pleasant exchange, before Marin opened his home to her, as she claimed she was "waiting for her new place to get ready."

But days quickly turned to weeks, then a month, then two, and Marin's sister reported a change in McNulty happened, and she continued to make excuses about why she could not provide rent.

"People really feel as though it's a very tight-knit, secure community. Why would anyone want to take advantage of that? But again, people do. And it's almost easy to get away with if you're consistently showing your face, like this predator seemed to do," Benichou said.

"People in L.A. want to see people who seem special. And she portrayed that special thing. She's like, 'OK, I'm an actor. I know these people. I have these connections.' So you kind of get blinded by that. And this is coming from someone who went to Beverly Hills High School. I grew up in L.A. so I've seen this throughout my entire life."

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Marin's family claimed that McNulty "unleashed a campaign of psychological terror" on him that landed him in a medical facility. While he was in care, the family reported that McNulty changed all the locks on the home and uncovered that Marin was not her first victim, according to Vanity Fair's report.

The family took the matter to court and a judge eventually ordered McNulty to leave the property, Vanity Fair reported. 91�� Digital reached out to McNulty for comment.

Benichou said that this is not the only example of someone who has pulled schemes like this in the Golden State. She said that there could be more scamming like this in response to the wildfires.

"I feel like it's something that, unfortunately, we see a lot of, especially out here in California, because people do have really big hearts and they want to help, and they want to see the best in people," Benichou said.

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"It's such a mental illness that they really don't see what they are doing. It's so pathological," Benichou said about people running these types of squatting schemes. "They don't see what they've done is wrong at all. So, for her, it seems as though she feels entitled to it. And even though she's getting bad press, she's still getting attention."

California, known for being one of the most tenant-favorable states in the country, protects tenants from certain rent increases, and they may also be protected from certain types of evictions.

"If you're in a place for more than 14 days, I think within six months, you can claim it as your own," Benichou explained, referring to California's tenancy laws.

State law also mandates that guests who occupy a room in a house, even if they are not paying and have no contract, can be considered "tenants at will."

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The state’s laws were created to prevent landlords from unfairly evicting renters.

A spokesperson for the California Department of Justice told Vanity Fair that not paying rent, being a "nuisance" and "engaging in criminal activity on the premises" are all considered "just cause for eviction" under state law.

As Benichou pointed out, evictions can take months, even years, and police are not allowed to forcibly remove a resident, but can "persuade" the person to leave the home.

"California is a state that's known to be very soft on crime and squatting is a crime. It doesn't seem to me that much is going to change, especially after the fires, after all of these people have lost their homes. You can't just throw people out on the streets," Benichou said.

SQUATTER LAWS IN CALIFORNIA ALLOW POTENTIAL TENANCY RIGHTS AFTER 30 DAYS IN A PROPERTY

Benichou added that since California is a sanctuary state, she believes it's going to take a lot of work to get the tenancy laws to ever change.

"It'll take a lot of work to get these laws to change, to be more in the favor of the homeowner. This is just something I see time and time again. So unless homeowners really band together and try to actually make these changes happen, it's going to be more in the favor in California of the tenant because it is a sanctuary state," Benichou said.

"And that doesn't just stop at immigration or anything. It kind of continues on into housing. And it's why we have had a housing crisis, and it's been made even worse now. So it's just going to get a bit more difficult after the fires, unfortunately."

'SQUATTER HUNTER' WARNS WORST INTRUDERS IN AMERICA ARE THOSE WHO HAVE 'NOTHING TO LOSE'

The wildfires weren't the first crisis to expose the housing crisis in California, as Benichou said she really saw corruption and schemes come to light during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I think a lot of people took advantage during COVID of being able to stay in their places because of that moratorium. And I think now a lot of people are going to use this (the fires) as an excuse," she explained.

"But on the flip side of that, there are also tenants that I represented that have landlords trying to get more money out of them than what they were previously paying before the fires. So there are two sides to this coin right now after the fire. And now, there are new laws that have been put into place where you can't just evict someone. But I do see landlords who are now trying to kind of get the tenants to leave on their own volition," Benichou said.

Benichou was referring to emergency orders by California Gov. Gavin Newsom put into place in response to the wildfires that will prevent price gouging and prohibit such price hikes of more than 10% in Los Angeles County through March 8. The restrictions apply to existing tenants and new leases during the emergency period, according to the order.

"In the face of natural disaster, we should be coming together to help our neighbors, not attempting to profit off of their pain," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a previous press release.

Cal Fire reported that more than 12,000 homes, businesses and schools have been lost to the fires and more than 100,000 people have had to leave their homes.

Bonta's office said in order to protect Californians affected by the Southern California wildfires, the Department of Justice is investigating and prosecuting price gouging and has sent more than 650 warning letters, with more coming, to hotels and landlords who have been accused of price gouging.

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"There are so many sides to this," Benichou said. "And it's hard because there are great tenants and there are great housing providers and then there are those who take advantage of every single situation. And unfortunately, because of the fact that we live in California, and certain cities within Los Angeles, like Santa Monica, for example, have rent control, so it's harder to get a tenant out in Santa Monica than it is in, say, Burbank, which doesn't have rent control.

"So there's so much that goes into this whole tenant housing provider. And unless there are laws that change that are changed throughout California, you still have to deal with all the city laws."

What is landlord insurance? How coverage could play into a squatter situation

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 11:43:58 -0400

Landlord insurance typically doesn't cover costs accrued in a squatter situation. Proper Insurance, which offers short-term rental insurance, created a unique type of coverage coming out of the COVID pandemic, that is specifically designated to protect property owners in a situation where a renter refuses to leave the property once their lease has ended.

When an individual decides to turn one of their properties into a rental, they need insurance apart from homeowners insurance.

Landlord insurance traditionally covers things like property damage, lost rental income if something is to happen to the property that makes it uninhabitable and liability protection, according to Investopedia.

SECURITY MEASURES, TECHNOLOGY, OTHER DEVICES YOU CAN USE TO DEFEND YOUR HOME FROM SQUATTERS

Additional typical coverage options include flood insurance, emergency coverage, guaranteed income insurance and additional construction expenses.

One type of coverage that does not often fall under the landlord insurance umbrella is squatter coverage.

Squatter situations can cause huge expenses to fall on the shoulders of property owners.

"One issue with squatting, particularly, is that squatters come with property damage," Nick Massey, director of sales, Proper Insurance told 91�� Digital in a phone call.

Proper Insurance's squatter coverage covers legal expenses and loss of revenue that could come from a squatter, and also property damage that is caused, according to Massey.

HIRE THIS TYPE OF LAWYER, AND REMOVE SQUATTERS FROM YOUR PROPERTY MORE EFFECTIVELY

This type of coverage is not widely available, with a good number of insurance policies coming with "an exclusion around property entrustment," Massey said, which means that when someone is let into a home, and then vandalizes that property, the insurance company is not going to cover those costs, he explained.

Proper Insurance's coverage is unique to those renting out on a short- and mid-term basis.

"A little over 10 years ago, our ownership team set out to create an insurance policy designed for the modern property investor," Massey told 91�� Digital.

The squatter coverage came into play during the COVID pandemic, when vacations were widely halted, and homeowners allowed longer stays in their rental units.

SELF-HELP EVICTION METHODS TO REMOVE SQUATTERS COULD LEAD TO LEGAL TROUBLE FOR HOMEOWNERS

"Fast forward into the COVID pandemic, short-term rentals are more or less shut down across the country," Massey said. "Nobody's really traveling, but we start to see the movement of intrastate travel from people out of the metros into short-term rental homes, kind of more remote for these longer term stays, and these stays being 30-, 45-, 60-, sometimes 90-day terms that these folks are staying at these properties."

Those homeowners who went from short-term rentals to longer-term arrangements echoed similar concerns, Massey said.

"What if they don’t leave?"

"We immediately responded to that question by creating a new coverage that has never been done before, ever, anywhere, with our squatter protection," Massey said.

Squatter protection, which comes at an additional premium, can be used in those situations where a renter signs a lease, the lease comes to a close, and then the person refuses to leave the property.

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"[It was created] to allow some more flexibility and peace of mind for these folks who are going to take longer-term stays," Massey explained.

Out of the COVID pandemic also came "a new industry called mid-term rentals," Massey told 91�� Digital.

"So we have short-term, long-term, and now we have mid-term rentals, which primarily curates to traveling nurses . . . mostly the medical professional field, but these homeowners are taking that as an opportunity to house these folks in their property, but they stay longer term. In most states… you become a tenant of the property if you’re there 29 days or more depending on the state," Massey said. "This can open legal challenges if the guest/tenant stops paying and refused to leave, becoming a squatter. We [Proper Insurance] can provide an additional layer of protection for them [property owner] in the event of a squatting situation."

'Squatter Hunter' warns worst intruders in America are those who have 'nothing to lose'

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 04:00:55 -0400

California man known as the 'Squatter Hunter' removes squatters from Americans' homes

Biden's rent-control plan will only make America’s housing crisis worse

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 07:00:34 -0400

California has tried rent control for decades and learned it reduces housing supply

Cleaning crew finds 235 pounds of meth at California Airbnb: police

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:14:04 -0400

A cleaning crew stumbled upon 235 pounds of methamphetamine while working at a California Airbnb property, police say.

The Alhambra Police Department announced Sunday that two suspects are now in custody on charges of transporting narcotics following the recent discovery in the 1400 block of Ethel Avenue in the southern California city.

Investigators say they initially were called to the scene "regarding boxes that were found by a cleaning crew in an Airbnb residence."

"Upon arrival, officers located approximately 235 lbs. of methamphetamine," the Alhambra Police Department said. "The suspects were caught on Ring camera footage using a U-Haul van to transport the narcotics."

CALIFORNIA NEIGHBORHOOD BANS SHORT-TERM AIRBNB RENTALS AFTER DRUG PARTIES, SHOOTING

"While Officers were at the scene, the U-Haul van returned to the location, saw your APD, and quickly made a U-turn, thinking they would get away," police added. "Ultimately, the two suspects were arrested and booked in APD Jail for transporting narcotics."

The identities of the suspects were not immediately clear.

Police shared an image showing packages of meth lined up on the ground.

"The reported criminal activity has no place on Airbnb and we have removed a booking guest from the platform as investigations continue," an Airbnb spokesperson told 91�� Digital. "Our team is working closely with the host to provide support, and we stand ready to assist the Alhambra Police Department with their investigations."

The discovery comes just weeks after a neighborhood in nearby Long Beach, California, banned unsupervised Airbnb rentals over concerns about drug-filled parties plaguing homes.

FLORIDA LANDLORD EVICTED SQUATTERS ONE YEAR AGO, HER STORY HELPED PASS A BILL TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS

In April, College Estates resident Andy Oliver filed a petition to the city’s Community Development Department following months of out-of-state tourists renting out unhosted houses, taking advantage of the state’s lax drug laws and blaring loud music late into the night. The final straw came after a shooting victim ended up outside Oliver’s house.

"People have to live with this knowing that your house, your safe place, has now been violated by violent crime," Oliver told CBS News at the time.

His efforts paid off with over half of the approximately 800 homes in his area agreeing to sign the petition, successfully passing the new restrictions.

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House rentals in the College Estates neighborhood will now have to either convert to a supervised rental, where the host is on site, or shut down the property after their license expires.

91��’ Lindsay Kornick contributed to this report.

Locals lament city's popularity, rising rents left them homeless: 'Nashville only cares about tourists'

Wed, 29 May 2024 06:00:32 -0400

As Nashville continues to be a popular destination for tourists and wealthy newcomers, locals from a variety of backgrounds say that skyrocketing housing prices have left them on the streets.

"Nashville only cares about tourists, country music and cowboy hats. It's a dog and pony show. Forget those fancy apartments that are going up, I don't stand a chance of getting any sort of apartment in this city right now," Purple Heart recipient Patrick James told DailyMail.com.

The veteran, who claims to have lost his previous house in divorce, was one of multiple residents who spoke to the news outlet about how rising rent in America’s country music capital has left them unable to afford even the most basic housing.

"Nashville is now all about the money and real estate, but that money and real estate is making the rich richer and the poor poorer," the veteran added, who said he served multiple tours in Iraq.

NASHVILLE'S CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS PROBLEM RISES DRAMATICALLY, MOVES UP WITH COST OF LIVING.

One reason housing is so unaffordable for local residents is that the upfront costs can go far beyond a single month's rent.

"You've got to make at least three times the amount of the rent to get approved," James said. "That's why I bought that old truck to live in and the car, so I could get to places."

Robert Sutton, a former mechanic and fellow resident of the same tent city James lives in, said, "The money that's coming into Nashville is doing nothing for people like me."

James Weaver, another down-on-his-luck local, scraped together $1,200 to move into an apartment before the landlord allegedly raised the rent another $200. In addition, he was told the apartment would be shared with another resident.

"So it was going to be a shared room kind of situation, not even a place of my own. I'd paid the deposit, then the game changed," Weaver told the DailyMail. "I later heard other people had similar experiences. Some of these landlords just find any excuse to jack up the rent. They wanted $200 more from me. That was impossible. I try to work with whatever construction jobs I can get, but at my age it's tough."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

"If I'm unemployed, then I need a place to stay at that['s] for a person that's unemployed," Weaver added. "And if I'm working, I want something at that price that I can afford. But the words affordable housing in Nashville shouldn't even be in the same sentence."

Skyrocketing rent, he says, is the chief reason why so many locals suddenly found themselves homeless.

"I lost my apartment 18 months ago. Those apartments right there, they want $2,500. There's no hope," he said.

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"It's the rate of the rent of the rental properties here in Nashville that got me personally in the homeless situation," Weaver said. "And as I talk to other fellow community members that are living on the streets, it's their issue as well. The rental properties are just not affordable."

Texas realtor joins squatter Senate hearing, discusses approach to building 'trust' with unlawful occupants

Thu, 16 May 2024 15:09:51 -0400

A Texas realtor out of Houston has leveraged a unique approach to removing squatters from properties, and it scored him a seat at a Senate hearing on Wednesday in Austin.

George Huntoon told 91�� Digital during a phone interview that, since 2020, he has handled four squatter situations in which he speaks directly to the occupants and uses a cover story to gain trust.

The first situation he assisted with was when he helped his friend remove squatters from her property, an instance he chronicled and posted to his YouTube channel.

Since he posted the video in May 2022, Huntoon’s approach to squatter removal has gained a lot of traction, causing others to reach out to him for help while dealing with the same situations.

TEXAS HOMEOWNER EVICTED AGGRESSIVE GOAT, SQUATTER FROM NEWLY PURCHASED PROPERTY

"Squatters have always kind of been a thing, obviously, but when I got called in on that very first one in 2020, I wasn't expecting anything," Huntoon told 91�� Digital. "Then that's when I would start getting a few more phone calls about this situation."

Huntoon calls his approach to dealing with squatters a "counterintuitive" one in which he puts himself in the position of being a "negotiator" with them.

During one of these squatter situations, which Huntoon calls the worst he has dealt with to date, involved a house on Murrayhill in west Houston. The house previously belonged to an elderly woman who moved into a nursing home. After squatters set up shop in the home, the woman's extended family reached out to the realtor for help.

HANDYMAN WHO TURNED TABLES ON SQUATTERS IS TRYING TO CHANGE LAWS TO ‘HELP MAKE SQUATTING ILLEGAL’

"I went over there and created a cover story that I was with, like the church or this organization down the road, and I was there to take a look at the house because we were going to try to fix it up for them a little bit to make it livable," Huntoon said of the property he frequently visited between January and April 2023.

"I created that kind of cover story and so I could slowly build trust from these people in there, and that's what happened," he said. "It was a two-, three-month process, which was something like I've never seen. I became embedded in this house, daily or every other day."

As someone the squatters spoke with often, Huntoon told 91�� Digital that he slowly started planting seeds that the police were on to the house, which he said was full of criminal activity .

"I kind of gained this trust, but it was a psychological game," Huntoon said. "I was playing my games, they were playing theirs, but I slowly planted a seed that ‘Hey, I think the cops are really onto this place, guys.’"

In this particular scenario, the squatters slowly started to vacate the property, until there were just a few left, who were arrested.

FLORIDA LANDLORD EVICTED SQUATTERS 1 YEAR AGO; HER STORY HELPED PASS BILL TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS

In the squatter cases that Huntoon plays a hand in, he interacts directly with them while simultaneously going through the legal process to get them removed.

"We did go through the court process as well, in parallel to what I was doing, and we ended up getting the eviction, finally," he said of the Murrayhill home. "But what I was able to avoid was some showdown between the police and them."

"You have some professional squatters that are just horrible people, just gaming the system, and then you have some really poor homeless people looking for a roof over their head," the realtor said. "You run a fine line of trying to be humane in certain circumstances as well, and I kind of took that approach here, and it was successful."

With squatter issues consuming the country, Huntoon offered tips for homeowners to keep in mind when they are leaving their properties to help protect themselves.

"If you're going to be away from this home, you absolutely need to be monitoring your home, whether it's security cameras, alarm systems, neighbors, because if people go and move in, and no one says anything, and they can, they'll fly under the radar, then that's when problems start," Huntoon said.

Also, befriend neighbors who can be your eyes and ears when you’re not around. Not knowing who your neighbors are, a very common circumstance today, is one reason Huntoon highlighted that messy squatter issues occur.

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"In a lot of neighborhoods these days, and I see it as a realtor, people don't know each other, you don't know your neighbors, everyone's so busy," Huntoon said. "We're all just busy and no one talks to anyone anymore."

Huntoon told 91�� Digital in an email that it seems that Texas is serious about laws to make the process of dealing with squatters easier for homeowners.

California neighborhood bans short-term Airbnb rentals after drug parties, shooting

Mon, 13 May 2024 05:54:57 -0400

A neighborhood in Long Beach, California has become the first and possibly not last to ban unsupervised Airbnb rentals over concerns about drug-filled parties plaguing homes.

"People have to live with this knowing that your house, your safe place, has now been violated by violent crime," Oliver told CBS News.

By Tuesday, his efforts paid off with over half of the approximately 800 homes in his area agreeing to sign, successfully passing the new restrictions.

SHOOTING AT CALIFORNIA AIRBNB HOUSE PARTY WITH NEARLY 200 JUVENILES LEAVES 1 DEAD, ANOTHER WOUNDED

According to a city ordinance passed in 2020, Long Beach is permitted to have 1,000 un-hosted or unsupervised short-term rentals. However, a provision allowed residents to circulate petitions that could ban these types of rentals.

House rentals in the College Estates neighborhood will now have to either convert to a supervised rental, where the host is on site, or shut down the property after their license expires.

Oliver’s success has since inspired nine other Long Beach neighborhoods to petition for similar bans, as well as a new advocacy group called the Long Beach Safe Neighborhood Coalition.

"Our group has found growing support in the past few months as people are finding out about our website and the overall cause of protecting residential neighborhoods from unhosted, unsupervised short term rentals - most run by real estate investors and LLCs (to rent on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, Hotels.Com), etc.," the coalition told 91�� Digital.

The group added, "We've even gotten inquiries from as far away as North Carolina and Florida from concerned homeowners there battling similar issues. This is a nationwide (really worldwide) issue that is affecting communities everywhere - and residents are standing up against the proliferation of short-term rentals that are transforming once quiet, peaceful neighborhoods into tourist districts and crime havens."

One resident included Christina Nigrelli, who is currently awaiting the city’s review of her petition for an unsupervised rental ban in her South of Conant neighborhood.

SQUATTER 'FROM HELL' RAVAGES SWANKY LA HOME WITH MESS, STENCH IN 570-DAY STANDOFF: HOMEOWNER

"We are hoping to hear before June," Nigrelli told 91�� Digital. "We are cautiously optimistic. We had a lot of support throughout the neighborhood."

The Long Beach Safe Neighborhood Coalition stated it was informed by the city that the other neighborhood petitions are also expected to be counted by June.

91�� Digital reached out to the City of Long Beach for a comment.

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Florida landlord evicted squatters one year ago, her story helped pass a bill to protect homeowners

Thu, 02 May 2024 19:24:54 -0400

Patti Peeples, a Florida homeowner, fell victim to squatting, just as she had received an offer for her property.

It took 36 days for the squatters to be evicted from Peeples’ property and thousands of dollars to repair the damage they left behind.

This happened to Peeples just around a year ago, but her squatter story didn’t end there. Since she was personally affected by squatting, she continued to bring attention and awareness to her story. Peeoples' experience contributed to the passage of a Florida bill that gave property rights to homeowners and kept them out of the hands of squatters.

"I certainly would have never anticipated that my personal experience would have motivated a state law change and, in fact, movement around the United States, with regard to criminal charges against squatters," Peeples told 91�� Digital in a phone interview.

"I'm amazed, surprised, and really, really encouraged that this particular case of mine showed me and I hope shows others that our legislatures can listen to everyday citizens and sometimes actually seek to efficiently make new laws to address common everyday problems."

6 WAYS HOMEOWNERS AND LANDLORDS CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST SQUATTERS

"Squatting is a nationwide issue. We don't really know how prevalent it is because, sadly, there is no organization that keeps track of squatting cases. But what we do know, thanks to the strong and fine work of local and national organizations, that a lot of the squatting tragedies are making their way to public viewing," Peeples continued.

Peeples said the public sharing of squatter stories like her own has allowed advocates to reach a government level.

After Rep. Kevin Steele and Sen. Keith Perry saw Peeples' story on 91��, the Florida homeowner said they contacted her and expressed interest in working together and addressing the problem.

"It's a really great example where my story generated local news interest, local news interest generated national news interest and national coverage inspired state legislatures to act," Peeples told 91�� Digital. "I think that's really how things should work in our country. It demonstrates the value of the free press. It demonstrates that legislators can work, in my particular case, bipartisanly. So, I think there are a lot of wins out of this that are bigger than squatting, specifically, and certainly bigger than my case."

When the Florida bill was under consideration, Peeples was invited to provide testimony before the Florida Senate and the House committees.

Peeples described herself to 91�� Digital as a "researcher" who tends to "deal specifically in facts" when she presents.

She shared that she had little time to prepare her testimony and only one to three minutes to speak. On her drive to Tallahassee, she thought about what she wanted to express and found that an approach of simply telling her story, to speak to legislators' vulnerabilities and concerns, was the best route to take.

‘COMMONSENSE’ PROPOSAL WOULD STRENGTHEN HOMEOWNERS' ABILITY TO BOOT SQUATTERS: ‘IT’S INSANITY'

"Imagine for a moment that you leave from your day of serving the citizens of Florida … and you return to your home. But when you walk in, there are strangers sitting on your sofa, watching your TV and eating your food. You ask who they are and what are they doing, and they tell you that they have rented this house and present you with a ‘lease.’ Confused, you call the police and explain the situation and note that you are the rightful homeowner, and you have not rented your property," Peeples said during her testimony, according to a document she shared with 91�� Digital.

"The police arrive, and the strangers present the officers with a document showing they’ve rented your home, but it was leased by someone you don’t know and, in fact, the document isn’t even signed."

"The police will not arrest them. They will not remove them from the premises. In fact, it is you they will remove from your own house and tell you they have no jurisdiction. They know they are squatters and that the document is fraudulent. But they have absolutely no power in the situation. And the only way you can retain rights to your home is to move through the civil court system to evict or eject them, which gives those squatters a minimum of 20 days to prove they have the right to be there," Peeples added.

"They get to live in your house, rent-free, likely for months because the civil court system is clogged. You have to rent a hotel or find another place to stay. You can’t turn off the electricity or the water. You can’t change the locks or board up the windows. This scenario happened to me with a rental home that I was in the process of selling."

On March 27, 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed bill HB 621, which will go into effect July 1, 2024. The bill protects the rights of homeowners, provides remedies for them against squatters and increases penalties for those squatting.

HOMEOWNERS SCORE VICTORY AGAINST SQUATTERS IN NEW YORK AFTER LANDLORD HANDCUFFED IN $1M HOME HEIST

"Squatters don't discriminate. They just simply are looking for a place to stay, and you could go away for a weekend trip and come home and find squatters in your home. So, that's not going to happen anymore in Florida," Peeples said.

"Furthermore, the fact that we got this bill passed here in the state of Florida has inspired New York, South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and numerous other states to start action on developing property rights or anti-squatter bills. So, I think it has been a good template for other states to see how to go about legislating this particular issue in our nation."

Peeples explained that even though the representative and senator from Florida she had many conversations with didn’t align with her politically, they were still able to see eye to eye on the issue of squatting.

"Our party affiliations never ever came up in our initial working together. It wasn't relevant," Peeples explained. "[The bill] sailed through both parts of Congress and received 100% bipartisan support. That is a victory that is highly unusual in the United States of America today."

TEXAS WOMAN SHARES NIGHTMARE TALE OF TRYING TO EVICT SQUATTER WHO DESTROYED HOME, SOLD BELONGINGS

Today, while continuing to spread awareness about squatting happening all over the nation, Peeples still remains a landlord with one rental property but doesn’t plan on starting any additional real estate ventures after her experience.

"Both [of the rental properties] were in my neighborhood, but this other house is literally just down the street, and I feel like I'm a smarter, more savvy landlord now," Peeples told 91�� Digital. "So, when it was vacant for three weeks, in between tenants, I took a number of precautions to keep it from being a target for squatters."

"But, amazingly, some squatters moved in right next door to that house while mine was vacant, and they were in that next door house for several days. So, squatting is still common in my neighborhood. It's common all over the United States."

"I am still in real estate with just one house, and I have no intentions of purchasing any more. To me, real estate now is a really frightening, tricky and, quite frankly, expensive venture."

As for the squatters who took over her home a year ago, Peeples shared that one had "been arrested on charges of trespassing and criminal mischief."

Peeples was recently in court seeking damages for a "substantial amount."

"Because I showed up in court seeking damages, the judge postponed the arraignment for another month, I believe for evidence to be further submitted. And I'm seeking damages of a substantial amount that represent the costs that were not reimbursed by homeowners, such as my attorney fees, additional security measures, as well as substantial lost income," Peeples said.

"The day before the squatters broke in, I had received an offer on the house for full value of what it was posted to be sold at, and, of course, I had to let that offer go while the squatters were in, and then it took me 36 days to get the squatters out and then another month or more to repair the damage."

"And then I was able to put the house back on the market. But in that several month timeframe, the housing market went down a little bit, and so the eventual offer that I received was for a significant sum lower than that first offer just before the squatters moved in. So, that is also lost income for me, potential income, and I'm seeking damages for that as well," Peeples said.

Peeples said she is unsure how the judge will rule, but it's just one of the additional costs borne by her.

In addition to the substantial financial costs put on homeowners when a squatter is living on a property, Peeples highlighted the emotional toll one can endure, stating that she lost sleep and feared for her safety.

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"They assaulted me and threatened me," she said. "I still worry here at my own house, because the squatters know my address, that they will do something to my current property, to my pets, to me. And, so, these are all residual traumatic stresses that come out of being in the midst of a squatting situation."

Peeples explained that it "troubles" her that property owners resort to violence to get rid of squatters, or hire others to help them remove squatters from their homes because the police have no power in these situations.

"I chose to try to work within the law," she said. "I think that's the way that everyone should go, but if states don't choose to change the law, then that's going to be one of the only options available to people and that means violence will continue to occur."

Philadelphia man sees 'big win' in squatter lawsuit against Airbnb, though legal battle continues a year later

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:30:43 -0400

A Pennsylvania landlord, Joseph Foresta, sued Airbnb in March 2023 after an individual rented his residence for one night through the company's website and took over the apartment as a squatter.

A year later, Foresta continues to battle Airbnb in court.

In June 2020, the guest paid for his stay through Airbnb, and the company collected the fees, according to the court memorandum from Jan. 29, 2024.

Following the stay, he "refused to vacate the apartment and changed the locks to the outside door of the building so Mr. Foresta could not get in," according to the court document.

6 WAYS HOMEOWNERS AND LANDLORDS CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST SQUATTERS

Foresta attempted to enter the property on his own. The individual "assaulted Mr. Foresta with a baseball bat causing serious injury and threatened to kill him if he came back," the court document states.

It took the landlord "many months" to finally gain access to his property. He discovered damages valued at over $75,000, according to the document.

He wasn't able to regain access to the property until Sept. 9, 2020, according to the Pennsylvania Record, when he obtained a court order for the squatter to be removed by the Sheriff.

Foresta alleges that he made "many attempts" to reach Airbnb for assistance dealing with the situation, but Airbnb ignored him," according to the court order.

5 TIMES SQUATTERS WERE BUSTED AFTER TAKING OVER HOMES: WHAT TO KNOW

Foresta’s attorney, Joyce Ullman, told 91�� Digital during a phone call that the big issue in this case was "whether Pennsylvania has jurisdiction over any case against Airbnb."

The court found that "personal jurisdiction is proper over Airbnb because it purposefully availed itself of doing business in Pennsylvania by knowingly entering into contracts with Pennsylvania homeowners through its website and extracting fees for its services," according to the court order.

The fact that the court entered an opinion that the state does have jurisdiction over Airbnb for the purpose of a lawsuit is considered "a big win" by Ullman.

The court has ordered this case into arbitration.

Arbitration is a "method where the parties in dispute agree to have their case heard by a qualified arbitrator out of court," according to the Legal Information Institute of Cornell Law School.

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"I argued against that," Ullman said. "The judge found in favor of Airbnb, so it has to go to arbitration first."

According to the court order, the parties must "file a status report of the arbitration no later than June 3, 2024."

Ullman said that Foresta has not dealt with any other squatter issues since this case was first brought forward.

A spokesperson for Airbnb told 91�� Digital in April 2023 that the company does not comment on pending litigation but said Foresta has been banned from hosting on Airbnb since July 2020 "due to frequent violations of our community standards and policies."

As Hawaiians struggle to find affordable housing after Lahaina wildfire, lawmakers reconsider vacation rentals

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 12:15:30 -0400

Amy Chadwick spent years scrimping and saving as a single mother of two to buy a house in the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui. But after a devastating fire leveled Lahaina in August and reduced Chadwick's home to white dust, the cheapest rental she and her now-husband could find for their family and dogs cost $10,000 a month.

Chadwick, a fine-dining server, moved to Florida where she could stretch her homeowners insurance dollars. She’s worried Maui’s exorbitant rental prices, driven in part by vacation rentals that hog a limited housing supply, will hollow out her tight-knit town.

Most people in Lahaina work for hotels, restaurants and tour companies and can’t afford $5,000 to $10,000 a month in rent, she said.

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"You’re pushing out an entire community of service industry people. So no one’s going to be able to support the tourism that you’re putting ahead of your community," Chadwick said by phone from her new home in Satellite Beach on Florida’s Space Coast. "Nothing good is going to come of it unless they take a serious stance, putting their foot down and really regulating these short-term rentals."

The Aug. 8 wildfire killed 101 people and destroyed housing for 6,200 families, amplifying Maui's already acute housing shortage and laying bare the enormous presence of vacation rentals in Lahaina. It reminded lawmakers that short-term rentals are an issue across Hawaii, prompting them to consider bills that would give counties the authority to phase them out.

Gov. Josh Green got so frustrated he blurted out an expletive during a recent news conference.

"This fire uncovered a clear truth, which is we have too many short-term rentals owned by too many individuals on the mainland and it is b———t," Green said. "And our people deserve housing, here."

Vacation rentals are a popular alternative to hotels for those seeking kitchens, lower costs and opportunities to sample everyday island life. Supporters say they boost tourism, the state's biggest employer. Critics revile them for inflating housing costs, upending neighborhoods and contributing to the forces pushing locals and Native Hawaiians to leave Hawaii for less expensive states.

This migration has become a major concern in Lahaina. The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, a nonprofit, estimates at least 1,500 households — or a quarter of those who lost their homes — have left since the August wildfire.

The blaze burned single family homes and apartments in and around downtown, which is the core of Lahaina's residential housing. An analysis by the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization found a relatively low 7.5% of units there were vacation rentals as of February 2023.

Lahaina neighborhoods spared by the fire have a much higher ratio of vacation rentals: About half the housing in Napili, about 7 miles north of the burn zone, is short-term rentals.

Napili is where Chadwick thought she found a place to buy when she first went house hunting in 2016. But a Canadian woman secured it with a cash offer and turned it into a vacation rental.

Also outside the burn zone are dozens of short-term rental condominium buildings erected decades ago on land zoned for apartments.

In 1992, Maui County explicitly allowed owners in these buildings to rent units for less than 180 days at a time even without short-term rental permits. Since November, activists have occupied the beach in front of Lahaina's biggest hotels to push the mayor or governor to use their emergency powers to revoke this exemption.

Money is a powerful incentive for owners to rent to travelers: a 2016 report prepared for the state found a Honolulu vacation rental generates 3.5 times the revenue of a long-term rental.

State Rep. Luke Evslin, the Housing Committee chair, said Maui and Kauai counties have suffered net losses of residential housing in recent years thanks to a paucity of new construction and the conversion of so many homes to short-term rentals.

"Every alarm bell we have should be ringing when we’re literally going backwards in our goal to provide more housing in Hawaii," he said.

In his own Kauai district, Evslin sees people leaving, becoming homeless or working three jobs to stay afloat.

The Democrat was one of 47 House members who co-sponsored one version of legislation that would allow short-term rentals to be phased out. One objective is to give counties more power after a U.S. judge ruled in 2022 that Honolulu violated state law when it attempted to prohibit rentals for less than 90 days. Evslin said that decision left Hawaii's counties with limited tools, such as property taxes, to control vacation rentals.

Lawmakers also considered trying to boost Hawaii's housing supply by forcing counties to allow more houses to be built on individual lots. But they watered down the measure after local officials said they were already exploring the idea.

Short-term rental owners said a phase-out would violate their property rights and take their property without compensation, potentially pushing them into foreclosure. Some predicted legal challenges.

Alicia Humiston, president of the Rentals by Owner Awareness Association, said some areas in West Maui were designed for travelers and therefore lack schools and other infrastructure families need.

"This area in West Maui that is sort of like this resort apartment zone — that’s all north of Lahaina — it was never built to be local living," Humiston said.

One housing advocate argues that just because a community allowed vacation rentals decades ago doesn't mean it still needs to now.

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"We are not living in the 1990s or in the 1970s," said Sterling Higa, executive director of Housing Hawaii's Future. Counties "should have the authority to look at existing laws and reform them as necessary to provide for the public good."

Courtney Lazo, a real estate agent who is part of Lahaina Strong, the group occupying Kaanapali Beach, said tourists can stay in her hometown now but many locals can't.

"How do you expect a community to recover and heal and move forward when the people who make Lahaina, Lahaina, aren’t even there anymore?" she said at a recent news conference as her voice quivered. "They’re moving away."

US affordable housing shortage sparks resurgence of single-room ‘micro-apartments'

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 10:31:07 -0400

The resurgence of micro-apartments aims to address homelessness and housing affordability issues in U.S. cities.
Legislation in Oregon and Washington facilitates the construction of micro-apartments to combat housing shortages.
Organizations like Central City Concern in Portland also offer units as affordable housing options.

Every part of Barbara Peraza-Garcia and her family’s single-room apartment in Seattle has a double or even triple purpose.

The 180-square-foot room is filled with an air mattress where she, her partner and their children, ages 2 and 4, sleep. It’s also where they play or watch TV. At mealtimes, it becomes their dining room.

It’s a tight squeeze for the family of asylum seekers from Venezuela. But at $900 a month —more than $550 less than the average studio in Seattle — the micro-apartment with a bare-bones bathroom and shared kitchen was just within their budget and gave them a quick exit from their previous arrangement sleeping on the floor of a church.

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"It’s warm. We can cook ourselves. We have a private bathroom. It’s quiet," said Peraza-Garcia, whose family came to the U.S. to escape crime in Venezuela and so she could access vital medication to combat cysts on her kidney. "We can be here as a family now."

Boarding houses that rented single rooms to low-income, blue-collar or temporary workers were prevalent across the U.S. in the early 1900s. Known as single room occupancy units, or SROs, they started to disappear in the postwar years amid urban renewal efforts and a focus on suburban single-family housing.

Now the concept is reappearing — with the trendy name of "micro-apartment" and aimed at a much broader array of residents — as cities buffeted by surging homelessness struggle to make housing more affordable.

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"If you’re a single person and you want a low-cost place to live, that’s as cheap as you’re going to get without trying to find a subsidized apartment," said Dan Bertolet, senior director of housing and urbanism for the non-profit research center Sightline Institute.

The Pacific Northwest is a leader in the resurgence of this form of affordable housing. Oregon last year passed a bill opening the door for micro-apartments and Washington state lawmakers this year did the same, starting to clear red tape that for years has limited construction of the tiny units, which are about a third the size of an average studio apartment.

The Washington bill, which was signed this week by Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee after receiving nearly unanimous support in the Legislature, would require most cities to allow micro-apartments in residential buildings with at least six units, according to the Department of Commerce. It takes effect in late 2025.

The legislation is an effort to counteract skyrocketing housing prices and, in the Seattle area, one of the nation’s highest rates of homelessness, as well as a critical housing shortage.

Extremely low-income renters — those below federal poverty guidelines or earning 30% of the area median income — face a shortage of 7.3 million affordable rental homes, according to a National Low Income Housing Coalition report published last week. Such households account for 11 million — or nearly one-quarter — of renters nationwide, the report said.

Rep. Mia Gregerson, who sponsored Washington's bill, said she predicts the measure will lead to thousands of units being built in her state, providing unsubsidized affordable housing to everyone from young people getting their first apartment and elderly people downsizing to those coming out of physical or mental health treatment.

"Government can’t close that gap all by itself, it has to have for-profit, market-rate housing built all at the same time," said Gregerson, a Democrat.

The U.S. lost hundreds of thousands of SROs in the last half of the 20th century as associations with poverty and substandard accommodation sparked restrictive zoning laws. Some cities outlawed their construction altogether — a loss some housing experts say helped contribute to the homelessness crisis.

Facing that crisis and a critical housing shortage, cities and states across the nation are now shifting their stance.

In December, as her state grappled with a massive influx of migrants, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $50 million program aimed at repairing and renovating 500 SROs across the state. New York City lost at least 70,000 such units between the early 20th century and 2014, according to a report from New York University's Furman Center.

But there is concern that this type of affordable housing is not an ideal fit for an especially vulnerable group — families.

There are more than 3,800 unhoused families with children in the Seattle area, among the highest in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 2023 one-night count.

Cities need to focus on building affordable housing that also includes larger units, such as studios and one-bedroom apartments, said Marisa Zapata, a land-use planning professor at Portland State University.

"My biggest concern is that we will see them as the solution and not do right by our community members by building the housing that people want," she said of micro-apartments.

The bill passed by Oregon lawmakers last year requires local governments to allow single room occupancy units in areas zoned for residential use. The provision took effect Jan. 1.

Central City Concern, a Portland-based homeless services nonprofit, leases more than 1,000 SRO units — both subsidized and not — to people who are considered extremely low income. It helps people struggling to access housing due to things like eviction histories and poor credit scores.

The units have a median rent of $550 a month, making them a "vital option" for people exiting homelessness or living on fixed incomes, such as those with disabilities, said Sarah Holland, senior director of supportive housing and employment. Over 80% of tenants were formerly homeless, she said, and some have been living in their units for 30 years.

"As costs continue to escalate in Portland, it gives them the chance to stay in their home," she said.

Cheyenne Welbourne moved into one of the nonprofit’s micro-apartments in downtown Portland last March after years of living on the streets. The room, which has a curtained-off toilet and sink, is just big enough to fit a single bed, a chair and a TV. But to him, it’s a treasured home that he’s decorated with colorful lights, potted plants and action figures. He uses the small kitchenette, which features an induction cooktop, for making the tea he loves to drink.

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"All I had was just me and my backpack, and that’s it," he said. "I was just happy to be in here and that I didn’t have to spend another winter out there."

"I just want a home, you know? A nice home, a decent home."

Some experts hope the Pacific Northwest will inspire more states to take similar steps.

"The alternatives are ... people being in shelters, people being on the street, people being doubled, tripled, quadrupled up," said Vicki Been, faculty director at New York University’s Furman Center and a law professor.

For Peraza-Garcia’s family in Seattle, the tight squeeze is worth it to be in the same complex as their cousins and walking distance of grocery stores, a park and preschools. They plan to spend the next year in the micro-apartment and then move to a bigger place if they can get good-paying jobs.

"We’re happy because we’re here in a quiet place where we can be together as a family," she said.

Reddit users defend person who locked parents and pregnant sister out of home: 'I tip my hat to you'

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:01:03 -0400

A Reddit user who refused to babyproof the house and instead restricted parents and a pregnant sister to the in-law suite did nothing wrong, other Reddit users declared online. A legal expert weighed in as well.

In a March 13 post on the AITA ("Am I the A--hole") subreddit, user "Independent-Box-44" (who did not specify age, location or gender) wrote that their parents live in an in-law suite in their house, and the parents pay rent to assist with the mortgage.

This arrangement was going fine, Independent-Box-44 wrote, until an older sister got pregnant — and was abandoned by the baby's father.

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"My parents agreed to let her stay with them. They did not ask me but, like I said, they pay rent and can do as they wish with their living area," wrote Independent-Box-44.

While the person's parents technically rent the in-law suite in the basement, "they have full run of my house except for my bedroom and my office," the user wrote — noting that the father "likes to putter in the garage" and the mother enjoys baking in the main kitchen.

Much to Independent-Box-44's surprise, the parents "want me to babyproof my levels of the house."

The writer added, "I asked why I would need to do this as [they] would 100% not be in my area. My mom said that it would not be fair to keep [people] cooped up in the basement all day."

Independent-Box-44 countered that "there was a huge yard and sunroom" to spend time in if they chose.

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But it was then that Independent-Box-44 found out that the sister had another plan: She wanted to babysit other children as a side business.

"I said I did not have insurance for her to run a business out of my house," wrote the person on Reddit. "She said it was all under the table and that she needed money."

This was the last straw: Independent-Box-44 then told the parents and sister that "I said that I would be taking the keys to my area back from my parents and I was also going to change the locks."

The person continued, "I said that I agreed to let my parents live with me to help them out. They agreed to let her move in because she is an irresponsible wench that can't understand birth control. I never agreed to let her use my house as a day home."

This decision reportedly split the parents.

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"My mom is mad that I am going to lock them out of my area, but my dad understands. The thing is I would let him keep a key, but my mom would get it from him and she would give it to my sister," said Independent-Box-44.

The Reddit user did, however, keep the garage lock the same — meaning the father could still access it.

"My mom and my sister are upset and giving me the silent treatment. My mom got my dad to ask me if they paid for the insurance if my sister could watch her friend's kid," said Independent-Box-44.

"I agreed, but I did say that they should get my sister to pay it."

In follow-up posts to the original story, Independent-Box-44 revealed that locks have been changed.

Derek Jacques, a Detroit-based family law attorney, told 91�� Digital that since Independent-Box-44 is the owner of the house, this person "ultimately sets the rules and living situation."

Added Jacques, "In a normal landlord-tenant relationship, landlords are allowed to set specific guidelines for visitors, occupants, etc."

Even though Independent-Box-44 gave the parents keys to the main home — Independent-Box-44 is still free to take those back, he said.

Independent-Box-44 "is entitled to not allow anyone into [the] home for any reason," said Jacques.

Reddit users largely agreed with this assessment.

On the AITA subreddit, people can reply to posts and indicate the poster is "NTA" ("Not the A--hole"), "YTA" ("You're the A--hole"), "NAH" ("No A--holes Here") or "ESH" ("Everyone Sucks Here").

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Users can "upvote" responses they think are helpful and "downvote" ones that are not.

Nearly 1,000 people have responded to the post to date, with most saying the writer was "NTA," but that there could be more problems coming.

"You may have to reconsider this whole arrangement … Over time this will become a mess for you. Your [mom], sister and kids will take over your space and it will be very hard to rectify after they are here," said Redditor "Locurilla" in the top-upvoted comment.

The same user continued, "Ask your parents to move out, although I feel sorry for your dad."

Another user pointed out that by preventing children from going into the house — it was technically babyproofed.

"Technically speaking, by blocking off your areas, you are technically making your areas babyproofed. I tip my hat to you, good sir," said Reddit user "Live-Championship699" in another top comment.

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Many users told Independent-Box-44 to find a lawyer, noting that it would be extremely difficult to evict the sister once she had a newborn, if it were to come to that.

91�� Digital reached out to Independent-Box-44 for comments and updates.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.

Squatters opening strip clubs and drug-fueled party houses shows freeloader tactic evolution: Squatter hunter

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 04:30:11 -0500

California handyman says increasingly savvy squatters are creating a crisis that's 'its own pandemic'

Puerto Rico sees push for tigher regulations on short-term housing rentals, report says

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:22:24 -0500

Activists are advocating for stricter regulations on short-term rentals in Puerto Rico due to rising housing costs.
While short-term rentals contribute to job creation, tourism and transportation options, they also lead to evictions and higher living costs.
Proposed measures include establishing a public registry of short-term rentals, classifying them as businesses and raising the island’s room tax.

Activists want stricter regulations of short-term rentals in Puerto Rico as the U.S. territory sees a growing number of displaced renters and a spike in housing costs, the Hispanic Federation said in a report Wednesday.

The number of units operating as short-term rentals in Puerto Rico jumped to more than 25,000 in 2022 from about 1,000 in 2014, the report commissioned by the federation said.

It found that while short-term rentals create jobs, attract visitors and lead to more transportation options, renters have faced evictions, the cost of goods have increased amid an economic crisis and some ecological areas have been destroyed during new construction.

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The report calls for creating a public registry of short-term rentals, classifying them as a business and increasing the island’s room tax from 7% to up to 11% and using the additional revenue to develop affordable housing.

"This has gotten to a point where the impacts are really palpable in Puerto Rico," Charlotte Gossett Navarro, the foundation’s Puerto Rico chief director, said in an interview.

A key factor in the increase of short-term rentals was Hurricane Maria, which pummeled the island in September 2017. Many people migrated to the U.S. mainland afterward, while scores of new investors came to the island to buy homes and properties.

That led to a reduction in housing availability and affordability, Gossett said, adding that other factors including the pandemic also are to blame.

Now, between 100 to 400 new short-term rentals are reported a month in Puerto Rico, with apartments representing 60% of properties available for that purpose.

Dulce del Río-Pineda, who has lived 40 years on the island of Culebra just east of Puerto Rico, said she noticed a big change in the housing market in the past seven years with the influx of short-term rentals.

"It's an economic benefit," she said. "At the same time, our young people especially find themselves without any hope of being able to buy their own home. It's a way of making our community disappear."

The 64-year-old former special education teacher who now helps to run a local nonprofit said social inequality also has become more dramatic. Some homes on Culebra, a popular tourist destination, now cost $4 million to $8 million.

A recent study by the non-partisan Center for a New Economy and the Graduate School of Planning of the University of Puerto Rico found that a 10% rise in the number of short-term rentals in a community increases housing rental costs by 7% and the property value per square foot by 23%.

"With so much to offer visitors, tourism will always be an important part of Puerto Rico’s economy," said Frankie Miranda, the Hispanic Federation's CEO and president. "However, it cannot come at the expense of Puerto Rico’s residents and communities."

Activists are calling for rent-control policies; restoring abandoned properties for long-term rentals; designating six or more rental units as a small inn; and designating areas where short-term rentals can operate to protect ecological and agricultural lands.

Various bills have proposed how short-term rentals should be operated. One still under consideration would, among other things, award regulation and oversight of such properties to municipalities.

"The good thing is that the conversation is already happening in the government," Gossett said. "There’s an awareness that something needs to change."

But the new report noted that the bills do not address the impact of short-term rentals on housing, including displacement and gentrification.

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Gossett noted that the study found a consensus that short-term rentals can be important for the island, and said the foundation is not seeking a ban on them.

A day before the report was released, Airbnb issued a statement saying it supports the "inclusive regulation" of short-term rentals, which will have to be registered by early June if they’re operating in the capital of San Juan.

Airbnb, which has generated more than $70 million in room tax revenues for Puerto Rico and is behind the majority of the increase in short-term rentals, also had backed a bill that called for allocating 5% of room tax revenues to municipalities. Legislators voted against it in a move that some blamed on a "power game" among lawmakers.

Meanwhile, another bill is pending before legislators that would create a regulatory framework for short-term rentals at a national level. Given the lack of such a framework, the room tax is collected from Airbnb and other companies under an agreement with Puerto Rico's Tourism Company.

Handyman-turned-squatter hunter says Atlanta squatter crisis ‘terrorist act’ that calls for National Guard

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 04:30:23 -0500

A handyman-turned-squatter hunter said squatting laws need to be reclassified as an invasion or "terrorist act" as unwanted residents continue to wreak havoc on Atlanta-area houses, turning homes into drug and prostitution dens.

"If we were to criminalize it, that would enable us to send in the National Guard to sweep that whole neighborhood and get those 1,200 houses clear," Flash Shelton, founder of the United Handyman Association and SquatterHunters.com, told 91��.

"That's what needs to be done," he added. "If we don't stop it, it's going to get worse."

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Atlanta is facing a squatting crisis worse than any other metro area in the country, with around 1,200 homes being taken over, according to the National Rental Home Council trade group. Homeowners have few options to reclaim their property from unwanted residents as local law enforcement are bound by tenant rights laws. Pursuing a civil case can take many months.

"My advice to the Atlanta property owners would be the same as they would to any property owner," Shelton said. "First of all, know your laws, know your rights and think safely. This is your house, I understand that, but this is property, and it's not worth your life."

He said homeowners can get arrested trying to evict squatters due to the complexity of squatters’ rights laws. He advises people to always first call local law enforcement.

"As soon as law enforcement says there's nothing we can do, then I would say reach out to me or someone like me because there are alternatives besides spending a year in civil court," Shelton said.

The California handyman had his first experience removing squatters last year when two women took over his mother’s home in Simi Valley. She'd put up the property for sale following Shelton's father's death.

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After local law enforcement couldn't help, Shelton spent days dissecting laws around squatters’ rights. He managed to get rid of the women within a day by drafting a lease agreement with his mother designating him the legal resident of the home, then took over the house when the women stepped out one day and barred them from re-entering.

Now he uses his experience to provide squatter removal services for others and has successfully helped several landlords in California reclaim their homes.

"I think it's just something that is coming to light … and I believe that it's going to get worse," Shelton told 91��. "Squatters' rights were never intended to allow the takeover of residential maintained properties. So until we make it criminal, it's just going to keep happening, and people are going to be afraid to rent out or buy."

In October, a 4,000 square foot, five-bedroom Atlanta home was taken over by squatters who ran an illegal strip club inside on weekends and kept horses on the property, neighbors told WSB-TV. Ultimately, the FBI arrested four people residing in the trashed house.

Another Atlanta resident discovered squatters had broken into her property that she was selling. She said there was prostitution, drug use and $30,000 worth of damage done to her home.

"There's violence and weapons and not to mention the fact that these houses are turning into drug houses," Shelton said. "They are bringing that element into these neighborhoods that may not know how to adapt or handle a situation like that."

"There are safety risks for children, for elderly, for anybody," he added.

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The handyman said the scale of the Atlanta crisis makes it unique.

"Typically, when someone reaches out to me, it's an individual, one house here or one house there," he said. "This is like a whole town being overrun."

But Shelton said if Atlanta homeowners call him for help, he’ll handle it the same way he does in all his squatter cases.

"I would meet with the local law enforcement, talk to them about the situation, about what I'm going to do, show them the lease," he said. "And I would ask them to do the one thing that they're allowed to do when it comes to squatters … to be on the premises to maintain safety."

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Squatters opening strip clubs and drug-fueled party houses shows freeloader tactic evolution: Squatter hunter

Puerto Rico sees push for tigher regulations on short-term housing rentals, report says

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