Squatter's rights

NYC couple are left horrified after buying $2M house for themselves and their Down Syndrome son only to find a SQUATTER who claims he's the caretaker, tries to rent out rooms for $50 per night and has refused to leave for FOUR MONTHS

Lesson here: Don’t ever forego the pre-closing inspection.

'It has become a nightmare, a total nightmare,' said Joseph Landa told ABC7.

Four months after making the big purchase, the Landa family are still unable to actually move into their dream home as they continue to face obstacles in trying to kick the intruder out. 

'I wake up and I go to sleep thinking about the same thing, when is this guy going to come out?' Susana, a mother-of-three, said. 

Flores is claiming that he has every right to be on the property after being hired as a 'caretaker' for the previous owner. 

Flores described in his own words in court documents why he 'deserved' to be living at the property.  

 'We couldn't believe it, we could not believe it,' Susana said.

Court documents show that Flores, 32, was indeed hired by the former homeowner, who was an elderly man.

The man passed away in January of 2023, but Flores has claimed that he has a 'license' to stay in the house from the dead former-owner. 

As a 'caretaker,' Flores was paid $3,000 a week to care for the previous homeowner. 

Unfortunately for the Landa family, squatters who have set up camp at a property for more than 30 days have rights in New York City. 

After 30 days of continuous occupation, squatters can file adverse possession claims. 

'If you have no lease and you're not paying rent, what is you right?' the outraged homeowner Joseph said. 

Not only has Flores taken over the Landa's family home to-be, they are claiming the squatter has also advertised the home online to rent rooms to other people.

In the online listings, Flores advertised 'The Prince Room' for $50 a night to males, female, couples, families or students looking for a place to stay.

His rental services had even garnered three reviews, suggesting that Flores could have hosted paying renters at the Landa's home.  

The Landa's are taking Flores to landlord-tenant court to try and get him evicted, but the court hearing is not until April.

'Long story short, he is still there,' Susana said. 

The homeowners tried to enter the property alongside an insurance inspector and Flores called the cops on them.

The family have already had five hearings in civil court and are complaining that the process keeps getting delayed. 

Flores has showed up for court without an attorney and filed for bankruptcy on January 9, 2024, which prevented any legal proceedings from going forward.