A New York City homeowner was arrested for attempting to evict squatters from her property.
WABC-TV reported Adele Andaloro inherited her family’s home in the Flushing section of Queens and was in the process of selling it when she discovered two male squatters moved into the home in February, changed the front door and the locks, and refused to leave.
Andaloro called the police, who interviewed the squatters and asked for residency documents. Under New York law, Police arrived shortly after and started interviewing the men, the neighbors, and asking for documents. Under New York law, squatters have tenancy rights if they’ve been in a residence for 30 days or more. When the squatters did not provide their paperwork, the police escorted them off the property.
Andaloro called a locksmith to change the locks, but police warned her against doing this – New York law also prevents a property owner from changing locks, turning off utilities and removing belongings of people who claim to be tenants.
Less than 10 minutes after police left and the locks were changed, a man who claimed to be leasing the house showed up with of the squatters who was removed by the police. They pushed through the front door. The police showed up again and told Andaloro she had to go to court to have the intruders removed.
Andaloro was arrested for changing the locks, which was considered by the police to be an unlawful eviction.
WABC-TV interviewed Brian Rodriguez, the man who claimed to have a lease, and him asked for the leasing documentation. He did not provide the paperwork, but produced bills for what he claimed was work done on the house.
“You got to go to court and send me to court,” said Rodriguez. He said he’ll leave “if she pays me my money that I put in the house,” said Rodriguez. “Pay me the money and I’ll leave or send me to court it’s that simple.”
Andaloro has filed an eviction notice with the city’s landlord-tenant court. In New York City, eviction cases take an average of 20 months to be resolved.
“It’s not fair that I, as the homeowner, have to be going through this,” Andaloro said. “I’m really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home.”
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These laws come from people who have lost their minds, if they ever had one.
Wow, his is crazy! If I owned property there, I would hire someone, a business, real estate management company to access the property every 15 to 20 days to make sure no one is squatting. It seems the 30-day timeline is one way to battle this insanity.
There is no self help in Landlord and Tenant Law. Court intervention is required.
This is exactly why homeowners are selling off their rentals. The laws protect the criminals and they live for free in homes WE pay for. And then legit tenants cannot find places to rent. Our government has lost its way.
The man has no lease, or any other agreement, this is not a landlord tenant issue.
Who told him to fix anything in the home, how did he get in,did he know the women’s mother, how long was it vacant. If he changed the locks he has violated the law, arrest him There is a lot more to this story, we need more details. Too many variables
THE LANDLORD /TENANT LAWS ARE THE WORST IN THE WHOLE WORLD –
IT’S DESIGNED TO KEEP LAWYERS AND JUDGES EMPLOYED IN THE WRONG
FIELDS-
THESE LAWS NEED TO CHANGE NOW !!!!
FIND DIFFERENT JOBS FOR THESE LAWYERS & JUDGES TO DO-
BRING FLORIDA & NEW JERSEY LAWS HERE – 30 DAYS EVICTION!
These laws need to change and be expedited ASAP if a landloard need to remove a squatter!
As usual in Bidens America. Criminals are protected and lawful citizens are screwed.
Is Biden in charge of New York Real Estate Laws? Educate yourself, and do not let hate and ignorance destroy you.
Biden has nothing to with it. New York law benefits those who wrongfully have possession. Research both Landlord Tenant Act and New York Applicable law, then craft your comments. This law was in place long before Biden. But, I do agree with you: criminals and lawbreakers hide behind the law.
The guy was being sarcastic.
This is not one politician’s law, it’s just the law; as silly as it may be.
Don’t try to blame it on Biden! It’s been that way for a LONG time. Gimme a break!
Such a shame that Tenants have more rights then Homeowners..
It’s unreal!
Should have sent a couple of goons to take care of the problem
Wait why was the squatter not arrested for a breaking and entry if you remove the locks and the police are called and you’re inside the building that is called breaking an entry so if I take the lock off a store and go inside and do whatever I want that’s not considered a crime so if they take the locks off of Biden‘s door and move in , nothing can be done to that person?
Not safe to own a business or property in New York,