New York State changing definition of 'tenant' to prevent squatting

7 On Your Side reporter Dan Krauth joins Up Close to discuss the latest developments in the squatter investigations.
abc7ny.com/up-...
Check out more Eyewitness News - abc7ny.com/
Find us on social media:
FACEBOOK: / abc7ny
INSTAGRAM: / abc7ny
TWITTER: / abc7ny
TIKTOK: / abc7ny
We’re abc7NY, also known as Channel 7 and WABC-TV on TV, home to Eyewitness News, New York’s Number 1 news. We hope you love us on KZbin as much as you do on television!
NEW TIPS:
Online: abc7ny.com/subm...
Email: [e-mail]
About WABC-TV: abc7ny.com/about/
#nyc #home #crime

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

Love how you have to prove the squatters have not been there for 30 days, but the squatters don't have to prove anything.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

@@shotgunsam23 I saw and heard no evidence that the squatters had to prove they had been living there for 30 days. They just had to claim that. And that claim taken as gospel by the police meant the squatters were not breaking any law. So no PROOF required as I said.

[@jeremiah_12]

@@davidtherwhanger6795 I’m in GA but don’t these squatters have to be paying utilities and getting mail delivered in their name on top of making improvements on said home, only after a property fell into disrepair for a prolonged period of time. If a current person is a resident or property owner, these protections should not apply as a squatter. You’d think it would have been breaking and entering with some theft and trespassing thrown in.

[@fishroy1997]

Occupants should have to put up a bond in order to avoid a default judgement in an eviction case. The slow moving court system is the real problem. New York could fix this but attorneys love being able to keep clients on the hook for years and judges have no accountability.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

@@jeremiah_12 It said it in plain english at around 1:20. You can't evict someone who claims to have lived there for 30 days. Dude said he had proof, but never showed it in court and only showed some other document that was not a lease like he claimed it was, and that only on his phone, a picture, not a document. And the DA couldn't find any proof either of the dude, that's why the DA finally did charge the dude with all kinds of things. And even the DA outlined exactly what happened here at around 2:12 when she said "You can't just walk into house that is not yours and claim you have a right to be there." Meaning this dude did just walk into the lady's home and claim he had a right to be there. And the cops just left it at that. So no, they do not have to have any utility bills or such. And no they will not be charged unless the Press gets involved. As shown here.

[@PLS.54]

⁠@@jeremiah_12. The answer to that is no. These criminals, yes, I’m calling squatters criminals, show up, move in, claim rights, and it’s the homeowner who has to PROVE the rightful ownership and seek ways to evict the squatter at their own expense. Now, how messed up is that?

[@chrischungy]

If it weren't for ABC news, the cops and DA would have done nothing.

[@shauxe]

W ABC News!!

[@anneflynn9614]

True, it has been going on for years.

[@frozenhanren4928]

isn't burglary illegal in NYC? there is more than just trespassing laws on the books?

[@Paidonjok]

DeSantis also helped with this too

[@katherinelok7689]

​@@frozenhanren4928it's not anymore. Ppl actually get away with murder in nyc too bc the previous mayor de bozo said its a discrimination that most of the criminals are ppl of color.

[@pippalewisNYC]

This is beyond disgusting. Flores is basically holding the house hostage for ransom money. Laws MUST change to protect the real homeowners.

[@blpalv15]

Exactly. And they are footing all the utility bills.

[@user-bw3fl7fj9w]

​@@blpalv15and taxes, etc!

[@pinchebruha405]

Extorting the homeowner for money

[@friedbacon-b4j]

All of this could be solved if our government wasn't colluding with big banks to steal the poor mans house. It's hard to see the squatter as the criminal when you have empty skyscrapers where homes used to be and homeless people everywhere. New York could house every homeless person if they wanted to but unfortunately they would much rather criminalize home ownership and sell everything to a handful of billionaires, for a small fee, of course. The country is mostly empty yet everything is federal land and NO you're not allowed to live there. "We the people" used to have a right to exist but not anymore!

[@xx_Joker_xx]

@@relone4744 if a property has a tax lien against it, the government body that the taxes are owed to can also seize the property and sell it. Usually it is auctioned. It happens that way where I live.

[@alrighty6898]

The irony of the defence attorney calling new reporter a disgrace while defending a lowlife

[@blakew5672]

Honestly, I’d expect my lawyer to go to bat for me too, so I can’t really blame the lawyer for doing his job and defending his client.

[@LuKiSCraft]

@@blakew5672 The call it the Giuliani method

[@boulderbash19700209]

That's a lawyer job.

[@dopeytripod]

while assaulting the cameraman

[@pheasant4947]

Don't forget unwanted touching of a persons or property is considered battery the attorney put his hands on the camera the lawyer is a lowlife too. imo

[@shogababaroga]

Finally a good story and big credit to local media and journalists. Thank you News7! This is what journalism should be about…

[@MickeyD2012]

ROFL. You're funny.

[@maddscientist3170]

not a complete story by any means

[@alexmesi5796]

It’s not a good story at all, and if you and the 116+ idiots that like your post think this is Journalism I’d seriously rethink getting “educated”

[@Canary2019]

Changing the definition of a word has me thinking they're up to no good.

[@AnnoyedUser-xv7qo]

Those squatters deserve a place to live! Prison.

[@LV4EVR]

Bring back hard labor

[@Kbkbkbkb4]

Sharing a cell with a big buff black dude, ready for size gage lol

[@charliej766]

But incarnation means someone else will be covering all of the squatters living expenses once again. This is a loose/loose situation for the tax payers.

[@DavidAkers-r3g]

Perfect

[@forfuntime2023]

taxpapers pay for the prison, that means you and me will pay for the squatters

[@deniseberman8633]

It’s about time. Judges wouldn’t want to come home from vacation to find strangers squatting in their house.

[@sugarhilllo9914]

Where would the homeless go then ?

[@Nick0wnsz]

Probably cause we could squat in their house these crooks smh

[@smrk2452]

@@sugarhilllo9914to your house

[@smrk2452]

Because problems don’t get fixed until they start to effect the rich

[@azgardenlover370]

Better late than never

[@pame4345]

It’s disgusting that the lady’s story had to go viral for them to take action.

[@EricTheKing]

Facts because she would've lost her home

[@kylehahn4410]

True, but that's also what the media is for in societies: Putting a spotlight on issues and making them a priority for the public consciousness. Good on these journalists and reporters doing good journalism and reporting.

[@Alisha1686]

Only moved on it because it became a public embarrassment. And that's so foul.

[@blakew5672]

The government is happy to trample all over your rights until you make it impossible for the public to ignore. I don’t blame anyone for going out of their way to make a spectacle of infractions committed against them, because it’s the only way you get justice anymore.

[@LuKiSCraft]

@@kylehahn4410 Exactly. Derek Chauvin also wouldn't be in prison right now if it weren't for the media. Like it or hate it, the media is actually quite important.

[@rebeccajaron]

Journalism at work here. Thank you to ABC for spotlighting this!

[@sprixpurl3034]

Take notes folks. When something like this happens, call the media, because the police will be coming to arrest you, not the intruder.

[@newyorknewyork1190]

It’s all a charade. Media lies everyday. Surprised everyone still drink the kool-aid

[@garywilliams6295]

The Media only reports things unharmful to democrats it's disgusting that's why the left is so gullible they eat it up, Trump made it rain today , back to you George

[@neilkurzman4907]

Fox advice from people on the Internet can be very wrong. No, they will arrest you for no reason. Unfortunately the squatters know the law and the homeowner doesn’t.

[@geometerfpv2804]

​@@neilkurzman4907It was not a legitimate interpretation of the law. The police departments are being cowardly about this. The guy didn't even have a lease.

[@geometerfpv2804]

​@@neilkurzman4907Also, imagine saying "the homeowner doesn't know the law" when you're talking about some homeless meth head literally stealing her house...

[@theHAL9000]

When it's riskier for a criminal to shoplift than it is to steal someone's home you know the time has come for radical change. That woman homeowner should never have had to put up with the abuse from not only the lowlife squatter, but also the abuse from our legal system.

[@t-spark]

New York and California have reclassified a much higher level of petty theft as misdemeanor. This isn't new, its a philosophical failure - forcing the innocent and less fortunate to deal with real crimes like these thefts without support.

[@707_outback]

And day by day the Government is heavily fighting to take away law abiding citizens Firearms, Just the start to a dictatorship country

[@xdae]

shoplifting is just as rampant as squatting lol both criminals are getting away with it all

[@ShaggyRogers1]

@@xdae Except shoplifters actually have a chance of being removed at the minimum if encountered by police in the act. Squatters are burglarizing your property and police will tell you it is a "civil matter", even though breaking and entering is in every State criminal code in the US.

[@mapleaf6672]

@@xdae Thank you "Cashless Bail" aka catch and release and "Raise The Age."

[@asthecrowflies737]

There should not even BE a question! The "tenants" signed bogus leases. They were scammed. That is not the fault of the legal home owner.

[@HiThisIsMine]

The reason why it’s a question is to protect actual tenants from shady landlords. It’s messed up but if a landlord could easily just call the police and claim someone is squatting.. people would be getting arrested and pulled out of their homes when the landlord decides they don’t want them there anymore. Most of these squatters didn’t “get scammed”… THEY are the scammers and create the bogus lease agreements. The same way the squatters make fake leases, landlords could do the same and easily evict if the laws were more laxed. The system is ufcked. There should be a mandatory regulator for all rentals which requires all leases to be registered with them.

[@newyorkernewjersey]

@@HiThisIsMine lol america is a big fing joke!

[@EddieW-kx5mz]

not the polices job to sort thru that either

[@HiThisIsMine]

@@newyorkernewjersey - It’s a global issue, happens in Europe and Canada too. I have a customer who has a property in Morocco. Someone went and sold his property after squatting in it and the government won’t do anything to help him.

[@newyorkernewjersey]

@@HiThisIsMine that’s crazy man😫

[@RobbieNero]

So proud of the woman defending her home fighting for whats right in the face of corrupt laws

[@msoda8516]

It’s stories like that prove why local news is so important

[@icosthop9998]

Yes, if the NEWS care to take up your case.

[@vvitch-mist20]

​@@icosthop9998 I live here and NYC news is fairly decent at helping highlight problems. Like this.

[@icosthop9998]

@@vvitch-mist20 The biggest thing coming out of *"New York City NEWS"* is the migrant problems. And I think they probably also have "Squatters" here and there. Along with stores shutting down, because of thef.

[@icosthop9998]

​@@vvitch-mist20 TY

[@vvitch-mist20]

@@icosthop9998 There's a segment called "7 on your side" and where you can actually get the journalists to help with a problem that has otherwise been ignored.

[@sallyj632]

Imagine a relative passes away. No cameras on their property. You can't make it to the property for 2 months. Now you're a landlord and have to shelter and pay for the crimi- I mean "tenants" for the next 2 years. Imagine you're in a terrible accident, leaving you in the hospital for an extended period of time. You return home to "tenants". Imagine going on a long vacation or road trip. You return home to "tenants". Amazing how you become a landlord without any documentation whatsoever.

[@NYC86]

It's sickening that that happens and it's sickening that there's some fleabag bottom feeding ambulance chaser lawyer who's actually out there defending people like him..

[@sallyj632]

@@NYC86 I just found out New York finally caved by changing the law. Squatters are no longer allowed to be labeled as tenants. So Florida and New York are good, in terms of your property being yours. Let's hope other states follow.

[@tbyoda9475]

@@sallyj632please post the link of this

[@shaypope4732]

Now I know what the guy with the son in Walmart meant when he was stealing debit cards n phones when he said he got his house the new York way

[@Tes7000]

I hope this new New York law goes far enough to stamp out the squatter problem in the state. Here in Georgia, Governor Kemp just signed a law that made it a felony to present a fake lease to law enforcement. The law in Georgia also authorizes any off-duty law enforcement officer to serve evictions. Hearings are scheduled for 7 days out.

[@neverendingproductions7171]

Squatters rights shouldn't even exist.

[@hughwotmeight2453]

They exist to prevent wealthy individuals/corporations to hoard land and not use it. Property that sits empty and rotting away doesn't help the population at large, so if someone lives in there long enough and the owner never realized this, then who really has more use for the property? Of course, in a reasonable country this has to be going on for many years to apply.

[@mikalcobbs9402]

@@hughwotmeight2453so you’re cool if I steal your house while you’re on vacation for a month?

[@CIavis]

@@mikalcobbs9402I don’t think he’s fine with it per-say. He’s providing clarification on why the policies exist in general.

[@levybenathome]

@@hughwotmeight2453 Hoarding land and not using it is exactly what a wildlife preserve does. Perhaps you mean hoarding buildings and not using them. Why would someone do that? Maintaining a building costs money, and there are taxes. An empty building is costing the owner. So there is already strong incentive to keep a building in use, an empty building is a sign of a much bigger problem, a bad economy.

[@jacobchesnes7623]

The laws were created to prevent people from being unfairly kicked out of their homes such as spouses going through divorce and renters. The squatter part is a loophole that is being exploited

[@justpeachyAK907]

Finally. The squatting problem has been growing worse over time, the whole country needs to do this.

[@firasabdull52]

Every problem has gotten worse under this crackhead administration

[@mathompson53187]

The whole country needs to look at what New York state has done ... and then do the exact opposite.

[@reeddeer793]

@@mathompson53187(excluding squatters laws) every state needs to look at florida and California and do the opposite

[@SusanHolbert]

All states should have put into law a long time ago. Gov. DeSantis was the first Governor to recently put into effect this law. Now it looks like other states are starting to follow his lead.

[@DefinitelyNotAFerret]

Major W for Florida in this department

[@saintjuice11]

Brent Flores remember that name when hiring him, credit, renting him property, selling him property. Prison justice for Brent.

[@imdurmac1]

It should be a federal crime for squatting. No one should fear leaving their home for any duration of time to avoid having their property seized by squatters. And the federal government needs to end quick deeds nationwide because ppl are losing their homes with this law too.

[@kevinm4157]

Yes, people are losing their homes. Are you sure that that isn't the point?

[@ToxicOsOk]

I get it’s an issue but in 99% of these cases the homes are from people who own 5+ properties and aren’t there for multiple months, if not years. If it’s not a multi-millionaire then it’s someone’s house that was caught up in probate. And I’m sorry but if you have multiple properties and aren’t keeping enough tab on your property to the point where someone else is living there and charging rent to several other people, then chances are it’s not your ‘home,’ it’s a property you own that’s just sitting there for months at a time useless. Do I think it’s crazy that these squatters can’t be removed? Absolutely. It should be piss easy to do so, it’s obvious they shouldn’t be there. But I think it’s hilarious to think that the media has blown this so out of proportion when most people are barely getting by renting, let alone owning a single property.

[@kevinm4157]

@@ToxicOsOk You sound like a squatter. Who cares if someone has multiple unoccupied homes? It doesn't give anyone the right to squat in them. If you own multiple cars, does someone have the right to take one of them? No!

[@jes2ko]

Exactly. It's not their fault they're able to afford to purchase X amount of property. Once you own something, in my opinion -- you can do whatever the heck you want with it. You bought it with your hard earned $$. Something I never understood of ppl who hold a vendetta to property owners -- Why you mad of how many places someone owns and how much they charge? Don't like it? Alright...manage your $$ better to get your own. Or...move to The Projects and deal with their management.

[@tinaleanne8230]

@@ToxicOsOk So what exactly is your point? If someone has more than one property you think they should give them away? Property is money, if you have more than 1 dollar then you should give the rest of them to someone else.

[@jeanprice2514]

Don't have money to rent a property legally. But, you do have money for a lawyer.

[@jenniferwood2922]

Thank you!

[@stevenroshni1228]

Volunteer lawyer

[@anacorreia8058]

It’s usually Jewish-owned activist nonprofit law firms that represent these squatters for free. It’s pretty evil. But they only represent you if the homeowner is white or conservative

[@ImThePronounPolice]

Works on commission. Lowlife lawyer

[@censorthispuertorican]

​@@stevenroshni1228 probably volunteered by soros money.

[@joelwright4317]

Any lawyer perpetuating someone’s “right” to steal property should be immediately disbarred.

[@karma4872]

Let them squat at the Lawyers House. Then what

[@kennethjones543]

Agreed

[@dopeytripod]

the lawyer ASSAULTED the cameraman too

[@DanknDerpyGamer]

*Any lawyer perpetuating someone’s “right” to steal property should be immediately disbarred.* Was the guy going beyond the legal representation that his client is entitled to? If not, no, this is a shitty idea (essentially punishing a lawyer for doing his literal job). The guy attempting to do what he did to the cameraman though was way out of line, fuck that shit.

[@mesmartgnome]

He was mouthy when he was in the house but, as soon as he gets what’s coming, he shut up quick. All bark and no bite.

[@eksbocks9438]

And he's a guy who doesn't have money. When they're rich: They steal an entire neighborhood.

[@chuck7415]

@@eksbocks9438 cope

[@Annoyin1321artist]

Chanel 7 and this reporter did a fantastic job.

[@candi433]

THANK YOU...all states need to this...Supporting Squatters is Ridiculous!!!!

[@jimcab4279]

They act like it so difficult to stop, it's not, Florida put a stop to it in a week, literally.

[@SusanHolbert]

So true. Gov. DeSantis is a man of action. I think the lawyers have made it difficult in other states.

[@surname037]

That’s why I moved to Florida from New York

[@word42069]

Florida is also a giant dangerous cesspool.

[@twilightgeneral777]

DeSantis is a corrupt, egomaniacal scumbag who literally changed the law so that he could campaign to be President without having to surrender his position as Governor.

[@jer1776]

@word42069 .. and New York isnt? 😂😂

[@Chris_at_Home]

Why does this even have to be an issue. Squatting is breaking and entering plain and simple.

[@SusanHolbert]

It should have never been an issue. The lawyers made it an issue, for their benefit.

[@shadowace940]

Well, because it has to be proven they're squatting. Imagine if you're renting a place and your landlord can just come in and say "Yep, you're a squatter, kick him out", even though you have a signed lease. There's an issue of people having fake leases, or it having to go through the court systems. Or of people letting someone stay with them for x amount of time and then they become a tenant.

[@LuKiSCraft]

@@shadowace940 Yeah but this guy didn't even have a fake lease, lol. The way the NY law is written is that someone is automatically a "tenant" if they've been there for 30 days. I live in Virginia and there is no such rule here. You don't have a lease? You don't have a right to the property. Simple as that.

[@joycampi7233]

How can you defend this guy? He's a squatter! Send him to prison! Ridiculous!!!

[@h_3_x_]

U have the right to squat its a human right

[@wishteria234]

@@h_3_x_ no, it is breaking and entering, fraud, trespassing if they actually enforced the law.

[@Lar-e7y]

​@h_3_x_ come by me you'll have a human right

[@MigikoHarina]

Defendant attorney said "he needs the money"....with a smile....part of the money will go to his pocket for sure.

[@user-lf8rk8hg5e]

Just like the squatters of Israeli defense living in Palestinian lands in Palestinian houses

[@lovingpia27]

These attorneys for the trespassers are beyond disgusting.

[@tonyzamora5529]

Worst add ever for buying a home. Our court system is broken

[@anncampbell5952]

NYS MUST get this squatter situation ended immediately. We pay a fortune on property taxes- close all the loopholes. Protect NYers now.

[@deedeerouse419]

Absolutely never should have happened in the first place !!!!

[@maxinenall9950]

These people are thieves plain and simple 😠 Hope that 1st guy gets 15 years in prison so he has a place to live 😂 2nd guy is a thief and thought he could steal the house after the owner died 😠 lawyer says he needs money, than get a job like the rest of us 😠

[@vrijmatipersaud1256]

JAIL time for the M#

[@daniellelightfoot8394]

The fact she stood up to this squatter is going to change everything. Good for her

[@wjr7957]

Make an Example of This Guy Give Him 15 Years. And Also Make A CAP on How Many Houses Investors and Individuals Can Own. And. A CAP On Property Value ... Make Rent Affordable And You'll End Squatting.

[@clickhot]

My tenants haven’t pay me over 20 months, lease expired more than a year, after delay and delay on court finally judge gave court order for 60 days with payment to move out, after 60 days without any payment tenants requested another hearing, and judge agreed, postponed 2months+ for another hearing. I hate this city so much rn

[@karriemckee6937]

I know sorry doesn't help at all but I am sorry we live in a society that is protecting the criminal .

[@karriemckee6937]

I know sorry doesn't help at all but I am sorry we live in a society that is protecting the criminal .

[@LuKiSCraft]

@@karriemckee6937 It's a NY-specific issue. The laws that were designed to protect are now doing harm. Every policy can be taken to an extreme. We do not have this issue in Virginia because you cannot be considered a tenant unless you have a lease. Seems like common-sense, right? Lol, not for New York.

[@JessicaFerri-um4hf]

So do I . NY Dem government are such corrupt criminal trash

[@jaclynbannister1877]

Sorry, you're going through this. It's beyond unfair, but dont lose hope. It took us 4 years to get our squatter out. 2019-2023. Your case seems to be moving along much faster. Hang in there, they'll be out soon.

[@elenaarman-tang7811]

The first bum broke into this lady's inherited house, rented out rooms and supposedly spent 30K on repairs. He had the nerve to say in another video that he wasn't leaving until the homeowner gave him back the money he spent 😡 I hope this situation makes Governor Kathy Hochul change the laws in New York. 2:18

[@newyorknewyork1190]

Hochul is a criminal like this squatter. She won’t do anything.

[@yiddishlion2037]

And those repairs were obviously piss poor. Look at the door frame at 1:49 it's not installed correctly and the casing is no longer sealed to the brickwork.

[@vulgaritar48]

Kathy Hochul would have given Ryan Rodriquez a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and welcomed him to the neighborhood. "Change the laws"? Her? That's a laugh.

[@bettyclouse7109]

Bullcrap he lost his money enough said it was never his house dah!

[@ripn929707]

So, if I stole a car, put new tires on it, and rented it out, I do t have to give it back until I am reimbursed for the tires? 😂 That's what this sounds like.

[@proxy6986]

Take notes from FL state ,they just made squatting illegal...The way it should be all around the country.

[@Lonsoleil]

That's the *only* note I'll take from Florida. 😆

[@angelaw9476]

​@@LonsoleilUndoubtedly the only thing DeSantis will do worthwhile

[@theroxygirl731]

DeSantis did a good job with that one!

[@dens3096]

@@LonsoleilBecause the rest your libtard soul can’t handle 😂

[@wmpmacm]

Stealing a home should be illegal. The legal homeowner should have the right to have the squatter forcibly if necessary. This is a national problem and we need a firm remedy to be able to eject squatters.

[@SmokeyTreats]

DeSantis did just that in Fla about a month ago, problem solved.

[@sylviathomas4023]

These squatters better be really careful. The next homeowner will take it to the street, and it course be a different outcome.. don't mess with people's homes.

[@weareallgodschildrenlovefr9556]

Welcome to America! Some people don't want to work for a living! 🤬🤬🤬

[@neilkurzman4907]

No it is a state problem. Something that needs to be dealt with on a state level not a federal

[@neilkurzman4907]

@@sylviathomas4023 So a homeowner getting charged with murder is a solution?

[@lilzael]

massive respect to ABC news for covering this

[@starshine3588]

The law change also needs to specify that whoever is living in the house is the one responsible for the power bills and water bills and that the owners of that house that someone has taken over isn’t responsible for paying the bills that other person racks up. Right now…in that 2 million home…that squatter leaves the windows open and all the power blasting…racking up enormous bills…and the owners are being made to pay those bills….and that shouldn’t be allowed at all while they are waiting for this court case to go to court. That man shouldn’t be allowed to do that…and he shouldn’t be allowed to delay the court case from going to court…which is what he’s been doing. AND the law also needs to address that just because a person might have been hired to take care of an elderly person….once that elderly person dies they can NO LONGER be allowed to legally remain in that house…they should have to leave immediately because their job is over. Also…new owners who either take over or buy property shouldn’t have to deal with evicting anybody….they should have to leave immediately…they shouldn’t have to deal with someone remaining in their house after they bought it….they paid the money for it….the other woman got her parent’s house because she’s their heir….no one else should get to stay in those properties…not even for one day. And the fact that the illegal guy rented out property that wasn’t his shouldn’t mean that those people should get to stay either and the owner shouldn’t have to evict them in court…she’s the owner…she didn’t rent it to them…they should have to leave and the guy who frauded those people should have to pay them back their money and should also be charged with fraud. There are so many things they need to add to this law…because if they don’t…the scammers will find a way to keep scamming at the expense of the property owner and the property owner shouldn’t have to pay a dime for any of this.

[@JessicaFerri-um4hf]

You are right. New York government hostility towards the actual property owner is a disgrace. It makes owning real estate in this state a waste of time and money

[@charlespolanco7427]

New York is a joke for placing that homeowner in jail. What a joke.

[@h27764]

She never went to jail. And this isn’t only in NY

[@MrSteak]

What about the first woman who's Constitutional rights were violated when she was arrested, removed from her own home, and imprisoned?

[@terripebsworth9623]

Did you watch the video?

[@MrSteak]

@@terripebsworth9623Yes. The homeowner was wrongfully arrested in her own home. It's bad enough her home was violated, but then her rights were violated as well. Just because the charges were "dropped" later, doesn't change anything.

[@gregsimoes8645]

Also, they said there's STILL people living in her home. The original squatter supposedly "subleased" out to other people. So now, they're saying THOSE people have rights.

[@MrSteak]

@@gregsimoes8645Again, all of that is secondary. This woman was in her own property, when armed men arrested her, took her freedom, and violated her civil rights. She was already the victim, and broke no laws. I get that the other "squatters" complicates things. But none of them were arrested.The only person who was illegally detained, arrested, and rights violated was the woman. So there were multiple failures here.

[@gregsimoes8645]

@@MrSteak agreed, was more replying to the other person who seemed to be implying that this is resolved.

[@jasonscott4366]

He didnt have a lease. Any agreement he has with other rents in rooms is void.

[@yolandalcheek462]

Sad situation, now the home owner has to fight the other tenants too. Why people want to live in people property for free? If there's no lease, they should be evicted immediately.

[@Sniperboy5551]

That’s not how evictions work though. Every occupant needs to be named in the court filing, otherwise they can’t be immediately kicked out if they’ve been living there for over 30 days.

[@kcisthe1st]

Wow! Amazing the impact a tiny bit of journalism can have. The story has been non-stop since you guys broke it. So congrats!

[@KLondike5]

Bad tenants used to delay evictions by declaring bankruptcy, but that loophole was fixed a few years ago. The squatter game is a totally different and ridiculous thing going on.

[@mkeen1808]

You go girl. Stand strong. Having my mom's house stolen 50-60 miles from your parents house was my worst fear. I got the local police to do a daily check on the house. I told them no leases were made and no one had permission to be there.

[@edithnogueira7899]

I have squatters in my house from 2021 until August 2022. Took me about 16 months to remove them. 9 people, and the law in Broome County NY requested to have the actual name of the 9 people living in my house, in order to evict them. It was not easy. They destroyed my house, and trashed the property so badly that the inspector from the city fined me multiple times for the garbage they left outside. I was collecting all the garbage from the past 16 months to avoid fines. Meantime I was paying mortgage, insurances, taxes,and water bill. They have a public defender. This is crazy!!

[@riggingpots3453]

That's insane..funny part is if it's the banks foreclosed house you have to be gone immediately

[@Eraweb2]

⁠@@riggingpots3453because banks pay for foreclosures and for the sheriff to evict. Just like banks and corporate landlords are paying for this astroturf news. Since the housing crisis, corporate landlords make up up to 10-15% of single family landlords in some states like Texas and Florida because of tax breaks they got back in 2008-09. Some even expect it to rise to 40% of single family landlords in the next 10 years. Those are the landlords that really don’t want squatters because they don’t even live in the state p, they have 100s if not 1000s of homes or the houses are empty for most of the month expect on the weekends when they Airbnb them (like my next door neighbors). You really think that if you go to Disney for 3 days, you are gonna have squatters when you come back, how would they even notice you are gone and not leaving a few hours before the house is rented for fumigation or just at the mall? Whereas in my block, there are 3 Airbnb houses. The one next to me is a new construction owned by an LLC, that they bought after the previous landlord was foreclosed and it’s managed by a property management. They also rent it or use it outside of Airbnb for parties a lot of times. Those local tenants that come in with 8 friends to rent all know that is an Airbnb house, they end up getting the key, maybe they make a copy and then they scout the house and what’s also likely is that the management company also is involved specially if they are sneaky and get fired. I’ve been a landlord for 20 years, I can’t afford to keep a property empty for too long. I’ve had bad tenants but I never had a problem with squatters until 2021 and it wasn’t even in the US and it was also a bit my doing because I let a family member stay in the property, when I wanted them out they refused to leave. I had my fair share of rude tenants that talk back like this guy but in 20 years the government and the news never cared, they only care now to cater to a small, rich percent of landlords that realize they are getting rolled by their own employees

[@isalove898]

Disgusting the lack of humanity of the politicians and city workers . Siding with the criminals

[@roxannd8536]

Omg 😲 😱

[@johnskibajr5691]

A defense lawyer making up things. He should be held accountable as well.

[@maxforce]

This Comment is always a Special kind of Stupid. Your Lawyer's only Obligation is to You. You are Entitled to a Vigorous Defense and All of us Innocent or Guilty are entitled to that Level of Protection under the Law.

[@johnskibajr5691]

@@maxforce Really,. No, the fact that garbage like this can be offered up without repercussions is stupidly. I know about the "vigorous defense" obligation. But to have no boundaries and to knowingly lie is unethical IMO. Who is to say that such outrageous tactics cannot be accounted for with a change that unless there is proof, a statement like that cannot be said. The abuse and misuse of that protection of the law that you speak of was never intended to be used in such a fashion. Frankly our criminal justice system as well as our civil justice system is seriously flawed, and both need major overhauls.

[@bobbykaralfa]

something like happened to me when i had a house in indiana. the person wasnt there at the time but was told i would have to evict them in court. the home owner should be favoured and banks should back up the person on the morgage. these bums that steal the house claiming it as theirs should be thrown in jail

[@guiart4728]

His lawyer is why there are so many lawyer jokes!

[@HealingHeart_61]

Absolutely ridiculous that a valid homeowner has less rights than a squatter. The landlord tenant laws need to be changed to make clear than any squatter(s) and illegally rented properties by scammers will be immediately evicted and prosecuted.

[@shadowace940]

They don't have less rights than a squatter though. Technically, there are no "squatters rights". That's just what they say when people abuse tenants rights. I think you're right about tenant laws needing to be changed, but we need to be careful and not just do away with them. They were put in place because landlords would abuse their tenants. And people were up in arms about that. The laws aren't that big of an issue, it's the court system that's the issue. It takes time to prove someone is a squatter or has a fake/illegal lease.

[@genespell4340]

Install a security system with cameras that will notify the owner and the police of a break in. They can be removed within an hour of breaking in.

[@EdwardYoung-df6hc]

He should not get any money after stealing someone house

[@Ms_Sharpie]

Exactly! That's extortion, which is another crime.

[@AMERICANPATRIOT1945]

This homeowner's arrest record should be completely expunged and those responsible for arresting the owner should be charged. There is no reason why an owner should be arrested when it is so easy to prove who the owner is. If the owner is removed due to a long court battle, everyone should be removed, not just the owner but the squatter as well. There is no reason to allow a squatter to stay in a home and destroy the place and steal the contents. All laws that favor criminals over victims are ridiculous and must be removed.

[@jeanbastien9424]

Our elderly neighbor without family has been in the hospital for months. People are already throwing her things out on the sidewalk. I’m convinced someone from the hospital knew she didn’t have family and came to take advantage of her. It’s disgusting. We also had squatters across the street, it took years to get them out.

[@JM-vj7we]

15 years…. good! The audacity is that the guy was also making money from renting out rooms. I’ve seen it before and they’re bums. This has gone on for way too long!

[@VNtheOnly]

Ankle monitor 🤪

[@acestarone]

Wow he is despicable

[@andrewsasala6841]

Godspeed to your reporters for continuing to press on the defendant to show the lease, it really should be as open and shut as that

[@sekoujackson3122]

This is ridiculous! They should be arrested and go to jail.

[@iCantEvenButtonsGaming]

2:09 His attorney just committed assault on camera in a court house. Attorney should be arrested, and barred from the case.

[@stevebabiak6997]

And nobody is mentioning the problem of: why does it take YEARS to remove someone through housing court? Fix that problem too, and then these deadbeats won’t even think about trying this game.

[@iowahank1]

15 years of free housing. He's all set. But will he leave after his sentence is up?

[@EdwardM919]

A simple way to fix this is to have the rental agreements at a courthouse where they have to be stored and notarized with both parties present. No more squatters but no one really wants to fix this problem.

[@KLondike5]

It would be good to just standardize rental agreements much like they do with purchase agreements for houses. This also protects tenants because of so many shady leases handwritten by people that don't know what they're doing.

[@EdwardM919]

@KLondike5 exactly, I bet some of these cases aren't actually squatters either, and they have legitimate paperwork, but for some reason, the landlord needs to move the property. I knew this elderly couple who rented for 30 years from a woman they knew from church, as soon as she died however the daughter kicked them out and sold the house because the housing market was booming at the time. Renting always sucks one way or another.

[@KLondike5]

@@EdwardM919 New buyers inherit the old lease until it expires but I'm sure with a situation that long it was only a month the month or verbal agreement.

[@EdwardM919]

@KLondike5 yeah I felt bad for them as a child, but as an adult it's hard for me to understand how they rented so long. They weren't strapped for cash.

[@phillyformage4622]

That one tough Chick! Thank you Lady and Thank you world for helping us NYC residents

[@ohdaUtube]

Does nyc have separate rights besides from the state level?

[@phillyformage4622]

@@ohdaUtubeyes nyc has different more strict law and restrictions about housing and tenant protection. In Long Island it’s not as bad if an issue , actually not much of an issue . Not sure about Upstate and other areas of NY. Basically city homeowners are most scared by these squatters

[@judybertagna4527]

Squatters should not have any rights. They are stealing peoples property and it is wrong. The government needs to put a stop to this. No squatters rights in my opinion.

[@zq7807]

I subscribed because of the great work of Dan and the team

[@ethelfernandez9792]

Florida already has it DeSantis, signs LAW to remove squatters ‼️ New York needs to apply the some for squatters 🙏🏻🙏🏻 they need to be in jail to the maximum penalty ‼️

[@carlahart4590]

Absolutely the courts have not idea what you go through and the mental state you get in is not fair!!!!!

[@kylehahn4410]

I mean, I fully understand why it isn't a quick process. You don't want to close one loophole that squatters abuse against home owners just to create a new loophole for landlords to abuse against genuine tenants.

[@brocktoon8]

I wish De Santis could have been our president.

[@WilliamBell-zu5ll]

Just make a law giving the homeowner their rights to their property as it should be and give zero rights to the squatters. We did it here in Florida. You find a squatter on your property go to law enforcement/sheriff fill out a form and they'll come remove and arrest them. If people use that form to improperly remove a tenant, they are arrested. Common sense laws.

[@SmokeyTreats]

DeSantis should be the prez.

[@jenniferwood2922]

Yes!!!!!!!!!

[@alanyoder7629]

Um, no Florida did not take away squatters rights. All that was done was speeding up the process to 30 days instead of a year or more for the eviction of the squatter.

[@sierralovat5498]

​@@alanyoder7629 House Bill 621 authorizes property owners to request action by the sheriff's office to immediately remove unauthorized persons from your home.

[@tigergreg8]

WHY aren't all States doing this.

[@SusanHolbert]

I think more states will follow Gov. DeSantis lead, and put into effect laws to evict the squatters.

[@georgethomas8588]

The squatter should be put in jail. The owner should get paid for the damages done to her home.

[@deist921]

These defense lawyers are the reason ppl think lawyers are the scum of the earth

[@jaymula6660]

Squatting and then renting out the rooms is crazy

[@MikeInOregon]

Home Invaders. Say it with me “Home Invaders”. Trespassers. Say it with me…

[@Sammasambuddha]

Clack-clack! You saw it! They were coming *right* at me!

[@jenniferwood2922]

Exactly!

[@stevenroshni1228]

Can't prove it

[@bjkjoseph]

We have a squatter in the mayors office, pretending to be a mayor

[@Littlething41]

If a landlord is YELLING at someone saying you STOLE my house, this is NOT an illegal eviction. Remove the person and let THEM deal with the courts not the landlord!

[@mattgibney4085]

This is honestly ridiculous, idk how tf someone comes into someone’s home and kicks the owner out.

[@vulgaritar48]

He's just one of many. The only reason this case got addressed is because the cops looked so awful in the initial news coverage. Shame on the state of New York for embracing crime.

[@renejohn7312]

This is happening all over the country, even FL & Texas.

[@jscobel]

How many times before have these men done this? Undoubtedly not their first, would like to know how many times they were paid by the homeowner to leave, for how much, and/or what happened in previous trials. Dan??? It's illegal now to look at "tenants" prior housing court cases. That needs to change too. It protects crooks.

[@jamiewilliams1356]

True heroism by that lady for standing up for what’s really supposed to be RIGHT! Change is on the way now! 🙏

[@LA009Lab]

This is an absolute disgrace to allow Squatters to have precedence over a homeowner who has a deed and title to the property. Change the laws NY!

[@torrent3481]

as someone who lives in new york i'm more surprised they passed something for this let alone ahead on it compared to some other states. i am glad they finally defined a tenant.

[@seawyatt]

They should take any savings, 401k, or social security from the squatter and give it to the homeowner to compensate her for damage, AND sue the city for further damage and false arrest and mental anguish! A punishment should have a little sting to it!

[@GizmoMaltese]

Do you seriously think these squatters have savings or 401K?

[@ezechiele.6001]

@@GizmoMaltese Not at all !

[@Elizabeth-vw1vb]

About f***ing time. How outrageous that some loser can steal a home.

[@ChuloRob617]

WOW!! A NYC DA who actually enforces the law?!!?!

[@ImThePronounPolice]

The second guy is extorting money from that family. Isn't that a crime? That guy isn't a squatter- he's a criminal!

[@KY-dx4rf]

How in the world are legal property owners' rights not 100% protected in the USA? That is what the American dream is all about: work hard and buy your own place! You pay property taxes, and that is what lets all those bureaucrats exist, along with the police, DAs, and the rest of the legal system. How can there be any laws protecting thieves and lawbreakers? It’s insane! This world has gone mad!

[@lucasveintimilla]

Man thank GOD!!! I was a victim of a long term squatter in my million dollar home in NYC for 5 months! I'm so happy that this will no longer happen to anyone else.. God is so good!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻💯

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

You weren't a victim, you're an American you chose to let the squatter stay. You have the right to enter your property, you have the right to defend yourself in your home. You chose to let the government handle it, stop complaining you rich loser.

[@LuKiSCraft]

It was the media and the legal system that resolved the issue, not God. But glad your issue is resolved regardless.

[@SimplyTechna]

Taking Squatters to Court is Pointless since The Time it takes to get the case heard it's been over a Year maybe two later.

[@drep4564]

and what about all these lawyers who are facilitating these completely and overtly false squatting claims. Something should be done about them as well

[@joevargas506]

They should go prison just like the squatters

[@Farcehole]

And dirty looking goblins like Matt Binder and the other guy that refuses to wear adult clothes on TMR. These people are criminals, we should be able to all agree in that no matter politics.

[@Lance-vk5px]

Have the squatters move in with them 😂

[@seansingh4421]

Ever heard of Due Process ?

[@Farcehole]

@@seansingh4421 Simping for criminals isn’t a good look.

[@BohemothWatts-vz1lc]

The Governor just signed a new law which is THE ANTI SQUATTING LAW. The new law makes SQUATTING a crime that the police must make an arrest.

[@brothertoughlove]

Give him the full 15 years. Shut this crap down.

[@vsoraya]

Well done! This is a big win, congratulations on the media, lawyers, and Judges involved in the case.

[@TKRevRay971]

Right. I hope she can sue the city and the cops for this madness.

[@markshade8398]

The "other people" in the house are 100% just as illegal. It is like a stolen car that gets sold. The later buyer loses the car, which is returned to the one from whom it was stolen. They "rented" a room from someone who was stealing something and then "selling stolen goods".

[@bcbeasters]

For anyone that doesn't already know, these squatter's rights laws came out of the pioneer days in the 1800s.

[@wileecoyote5749]

Correct. Extremely outdated

[@Eggs_hatching]

You mean the pioneers wanted more rights than the people originally living there?

[@bcbeasters]

@@Eggs_hatching In the days of horse and wagons "going west" took months... meaning they'd abandon their home in the East not knowing if they'd ever return in search of new opportunities out west.

[@stevenroshni1228]

These laws started as an incentive to not have vacant houses

[@Mobius_Pizza]

It's why law shouldn't be written too specifically, and leave some degree of interpretation to the judge.

[@txcaco1]

Wow NYC legal system is not as corrupt as I had thought. Someone held accountable will stop others from pulling the same BS.

[@blazinpyromaniac]

NY tenant laws are so ridiculous, I’m glad NY is taking action against those who take advantage

[@jacobkapplan4770]

This should be nationwide.

[@marvwatkins7029]

And his lawyer Levine should be disbarred for this behavior.

[@stevenroshni1228]

That's not how any of this works. Anybody brought into court has the right to an attorney to defend their interests!

[@GeorgeWashingtonLaserMusket]

@@stevenroshni1228 That's not how any of this works, there's a difference between the government having to let you find representation for civil matters and someone taking your case. Did Jeffery Epstein have the right to a lawyer if his case went to court? Absolutely. Would a moral person take his case? Hell no. You actually have to remain in good moral standing to be an attorney.

[@dude374thetenthman.5]

Lawyer means liar.

[@Debbiediamond0310]

Can’t hate the player(the lawyer) hate the game (the law)

[@mikejones-dx8bx]

he's part of the tribe...corruption and theft is part of his culture.

[@mudderjen]

Stop this madness of paying criminals! WTF?

[@AddisonHaileLegobuilds]

Two million dollars for a home is insane! And then still staying in the house is crazy!