Airbnb host: After 17 months, 'she's still there' | Banfield

An Airbnb host in Los Angeles is struggling to get rid of a guest who has refused to pay for the rental for more than 500 days and claims she has a legal right to stay there. Sascha Jovanovic initially rented the guesthouse to Elizabeth Hirschhorn for a six-month stay, for which she paid more than $20,000, but when the reservation ended in March 2022, she wouldn’t leave. Attorney Matt Murphy joins "Banfield" to discuss.
On "Banfield," big-name celebrities, newsmakers and public figures join Ashleigh for a unique opportunity to sit down and talk. No debates. No shouting over each other. A conversation. Weeknights at 10pm/9C. #Banfield
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[@leilanilamour5173]

The woman who is squatting in this home should be deeply ashamed of herself for taking advantage of the homeowner. She doesn’t deserve a single cent and should get thrown in jail.

[@azraelian3098]

hmmm, sociopaths don't feel shame

[@BabylonIzFalling]

'should be deeply ashamed of herself' people that do things like this have -0- shame, entitlement is more like it

[@Diametricallyopposed00]

Typical news nation clip with no introduction or background on the case. Thrown into the segment, and trying to put it together like a puzzle with context clues. 🙄 grrrrrr.

[@jesuisleconqueror]

@@Diametricallyopposed00you’re right cause the only reason I know is because of TikTok

[@user-mq8lq1yf9m]

I’m sorry, but how old are you that you have such an infantile way of thinking?

[@meditationsoundscapes5203]

no good deed goes unpunished

[@SunFlower-sf1go]

I'm so glad this horror story is getting national attention. This woman is a criminal who knows the laws and loopholes to rip people off. She's squatting. She should be physically removed and jailed!

[@KatieBellino]

Yes, she's really screwed now because eventually she will be removed and she's going to have a heck of a time getting someone to rent to her. I'm sure she will now be banned from Air BnB's site. Also, the story is going to make it very clear to Air BnB owners why you need to limit the length of stay for your guests. I think he can probably win the legal battle in the end if he can show the message where she requested 6 months stay. He also may have witnesses to her behavior when he tried to fix a problem in the unit. I think it's also suspicious that she refused to be placed in a hotel for a week. Clearly, she knew that could create an argument that she left and her time restarted again, giving him a legal right to tell her to leave at the 6 month mark.

[@IndecentAngels]

I've seen something like this on the news a few years ago. A older woman let a couple that was down on their luck to stay with her. When they had been there awhile she asked them to leave. The couple refused to leave. The lady called the police and the police told her they didn't have to leave because she invited them in. Sick laws need to be changed. Very sad. I wonder how often this happens but don't make the news. 😮

[@julian670]

So, if they invited her in, i wonder why it doesn't work when they kick them out...Makes no sense at all...

[@dtyallen9864]

My attorney had filed for an EVICTION for POSSESSION.

[@WaitingOnAngels]

It happens every single day across the country. Once someone becomes a "resident" (which happens in an average of 30 days after moving in) you must then give them notice to vacate. If they then choose to not leave you must take them to housing court to evict. I'm not sure if the courts have ever caught up from the backlog which came from the pandemic.

[@IndecentAngels]

Thank you for sharing the info it's important people know.

[@karenbarker6832]

A lot !! More than u would imagine ..

[@DaveAnderson-ic6oo]

I’d get her out. No way she’d pull that bs here. There’s ways of doing everything.

[@hippiegirl5167]

Move someone in there with her. Maybe 3-4 people. Complete strangers. She will move out fast ! That what my neighbor did . Also the policeman should do their job and get her out in handcuffs

[@janh5199]

I was thinking about 50.

[@FreeportHometown]

Your neighbor sounds like a fun time (not being sarcastic)

[@dtyallen9864]

Hire an eviction attorney. My attorney evicted the squatters on my property on grounds of possession.

[@mwatercress]

Are you in California? Was is before 2019?

[@ES-qt7jv]

It took my neighbor nearly 2 yrs and 48k in the hole. California laws are shit

[@LyranSoul]

He needs to start building stuff loudly in his backyard for hours. Then start renting his backyard for children's parties every weekend, complete with screaming kids. She can't do anything about that bcuz he is entitled to use his backyard space. When it's uncomfortable for her, she'll leave.

[@LuvableAF]

Ha ha yes! And get the neigbours involved...parties all the time...

[@ES-qt7jv]

She'll find some crazu ass excuse and sue for noise nuisance 😂

[@KimSpurre104]

Pretty cool idea. There could be complications though. If it’s “parties all the time”, I imagine that they would also be renting the space for parties that weren’t children’s parties. In that case wouldn’t it be possible that she (Elizabeth) would just bring a case of beer over there, join in and party herself? The homeowner could also get in trouble with the neighbors.

[@panterpanterpanter993]

WHERE IS THE FACE OF THE WOMAN ?

[@jaguar4120]

Exactly 😂. Why are they protecting her. Lol

[@lilycalir6515]

Her name is Elizabeth Hirschhorn u can see her pic by doing a search

[@joekulik999]

Before I'd let a squatter take over my property, I'd hire a couple of muscular guys to move her stuff onto the sidewalk and then change the locks. Let her sue me then, but at least I'd have my property back. Also, if some Low Life needs to go this far for a place to live what's the chances that they have their act together enough to go after you after the eviction anyway ???

[@its-all-good]

Many people in East LA have pit-bulls and need $. I would pay them, and be there to open and close the door until she screams, "I will leave!". Only then would I have them pull the dog out.

[@soorenaaslani7491]

The police will come and force you to let them back into the property. No court involvement is needed.

[@joekulik999]

@@soorenaaslani7491 Then I would force the Cops to arrest me and put me on trial. I want to see American Law put me in prison for taking back what legally belongs to me. I'd be certain to make a Media Circus out of it too to get Public Opinion on my side. The Main Reason why squatters take over someone's house is because they know that most Americans are Door Mats just like YOU.

[@BabylonIzFalling]

What is Banfield on? Elizabeth Hirschhorn has done this before in Oakland. Just two months prior to this incident. Taking advantage of the backlogged court system. The landlords there had to sue her, plus American Express had to sue her also. What a real jewel.

[@beanz6795]

Out of curiosity..what did Amex have to do with it?

[@sernity1523]

Amex is a charge card, not a credit card. I'm assuming she ran up the bill and then dipped, so they couldn't take her purchases back to liquidate them and sue for the rest. Amex will absolutely repossess purchases and liquidate them to recoup losses if need be. If I had to guess, she maxed out the card, Amex went and got a judgement against her to satisfy the debt. The long and short of it - this woman doesn't pay her bills but has no problem taking from people.

[@killerheelscrime]

She sounds like a shameless con woman who should be in prison. She can get her free accommodation there

[@teena602]

This happens a lot when they try to do a deal outside their Air BnB contract.

[@rzblue324]

Happens all time and in a certain region of Spain there is a facbook group where you pay the person to go have a chat with the tennant and then they usually will leave after that "chat"

[@dtyallen9864]

It was reported Airbnb warns homeowners not to deviate from protocol. He gave her an occupancy permit. Pay an attorney and evict her.

[@SunFlower-sf1go]

That is what he's been trying to do. She is getting around the eviction because the guest house doesn't not have an occupancy permit. She claims he was not allowed ever rent it so therefore he can't evict her. She's a squatter who knows the laws.

[@KatieBellino]

Yes, it's clear she always intended to do this based on past history and her requesting a 6 month stay. Also, she didn't want her time to reset, which is why she refused the hotel stay when he wanted to make repairs for her. Her request of $100k to re-home herself is also ridiculously high. It does not take an entire year's salary to move to a new apartment, even in California. There should be a loophole law for a landlord to prove that someone was actively trying to manipulate the system (maybe there is - I'm no lawyer). Also, California law apparently states that a tenant needs to approve entry to a unit unless there is an emergency. In my state, the landlord can always do so with 24 hours notice. this is his whole issue with getting the shower approved now, so I guess he needs a court order. Her time will come to an end in that unit. @@SunFlower-sf1go

[@MK-hz2bn]

Would’ve liked to hear more from Matt. This was the dumbest 5 mins

[@tinaheald]

Her “reporting” sounds like table talk. She left out details. Like this: She’s been living there rent-free ever since, and she refused to budge unless Jovanovic paid her a relocation fee of $100,000," the Times reports. Hirschhorn’s attorney told the Times that "she was not required to pay rent because the city had never approved the unit for occupancy and that its shower was constructed without a permit."

[@joannmata4914]

Cut the utilities.. living without light will make her very uncomfortable or without water as well..There are ways someone like that will be left to go elsewhere.

[@barbaramoore4028]

Sounds good BUT IT IS ILLEGAL FOR HIM TO DO THAT. he would be in worse shit than he already is in

[@WildflowerAnn]

She would just trash the place, literally s*#@ un the toilets with no water, who knows, maybe finger paint. She is deranged.

[@WaitingOnAngels]

You really shouldn't give legal advice which is illegal.

[@joannmata4914]

At this point she’s lost her tenant rights. Sorry not sorry she has to go!!!

[@WaitingOnAngels]

@@joannmata4914 Emphasizing your point with exclamation marks doesn't make it magically become true. 😂

[@lucindaramirez6962]

Share her info picture so it doesn't happen to anyone else

[@maddydog]

My mother always said”no good deed goes unpunished “

[@74betty]

Sad but true

[@fox7757]

I wonder why he couldn't kick them out of the AirBnb. I hope he is able to. The woman is a criminal for breaking the deal they made.

[@emeraldgreen777]

He should hook up a loud speaker to her bedroom wall and play excerpts from The Rat Pack and loud music 24/7 like in the scene from The Sopranos where Tony wanted the waterfront property. 😂

[@eden_aumakua]

You can't do that. It's illegal.

[@emeraldgreen777]

@@eden_aumakua that's why Tony did it 😁😆

[@KatieBellino]

​@eden_aumakua I mean, he lives on the property too. He could certainly be an annoying neighbor, just not a literal loudspeaker.

[@LindyandDevin]

The USA military Went into Panama and played loud music 24 seven to get Manuel Noriega the leader of Panama back in the 80s. It worked and they got him. He died in Florida prison.

[@LuvableAF]

Yup. She would be out in 4 hours if she was in my home like this.

[@marciahille3155]

Not right!!

[@Thrivinglife3835]

Literally this woman is taking advantage of the situation. Imagine you’re being helped and this is what you’re going to do? Asking 200k before leaving. That’s too much!

[@nightdipper5178]

Don't rent in California.

[@M1N1Girl007]

Anywhere...

[@williamrae9954]

Avoid California

[@davidwright873]

One word.....Cockroaches.....People hate cockroaches...Man had got to think differently....

[@WaitingOnAngels]

Not a chance in hell I'd release a bunch of cockroaches in my own property. You're on the right track I think but something a little less disgusting might be better.

[@janh5199]

And rats. And bedbugs. And stink bombs by any open windows, vents, etc.

[@julian670]

i've heard of someone renting a bunch of tarantulas, and it apparently worked...Then they returned the spiders...

[@WaitingOnAngels]

@@julian670 ...but what if one came up missing??😬

[@iSeeTicks]

Some fuked up system... basically a renter refuses to pay rent and sues the landlord after not paying rent for 18months. Things like these are the reasons why people are leaving Cali and this place is turning into a shit home....

[@WaitingOnAngels]

This happens in every single state every day. The courts do not protect landlords and evictions take far too much time.

[@lisalastnamesmith]

She's an opportunist out here finding loopholes to be a blackmail squatter. I hope he fights like hell and dosen't let up. DO NOT BACK OFF.

[@janh5199]

His home. Find about 50 of his friends to move in with her.

[@aryaprincess2479]

The mistake here is that he took legal action against her which cemented her stay there because he admitted she was there and never left. He should have hired people to take her and her belongings out. If she ever claimed that she lived there after that, he could say she is lying otherwise she should show papers that she paid for rent which she obviously doesn't have. This is the only way to solve it. You never ask for the law to intervene, it takes money and time and the outcome is not always sure.

[@m1975cl]

Truth! You are correct. The law won’t help you so keep them out of it and hire someone to help to get rid of this pos woman.

[@elenaarman-tang7811]

I understand what you're saying, but, if she received mail at that address, it proves she lived there. The laws regarding squatters' rights need to be changed in the U.S. It's disgusting how people get away with this crap!

[@shirl974]

Get a few boys to call in to her

[@rocket9580]

this is why I do not rent as a host for more than 28 days..because 30 days establishes tenentcy..

[@christianfriend7133]

Over 20k for 6th months. 3300 average a month, pricy. It's no fun for the owner trying to get someone out of their home, still not bad profit for a couple of years of rent. No justification for her suing him.

[@podunk_woman]

Except she's not paying

[@WaitingOnAngels]

This is Orange County, CA. They didn't show the property but that's not abnormal out there. In my area, outside of Boston, a two bedroom in a brick building crappy complex is going for $2500+. Taxes, insurance, and every single utility cost has risen drastically.

[@corrinnajordan2749]

Air bnb is not the same as living somewhere for rent.

[@TheCatD]

LA County actually but yes expensive out here @@WaitingOnAngels

[@lisad56]

Brentwood is expensive. So charging $3000 is not a lot.

[@Faith-to5mp]

This same woman did similar thing in Oakland, California before she moved to Lose Angles. The case in Oakland was settled for undisclosed amount.....after she sued the home owner. She needs to be evicted and jailed.

[@KatieBellino]

Seems like it's time for the general public to make it difficult for her to stay there. On the sidewalk all if the time pestering her when she leaves her home.

[@uscjake868]

Squatting would never happen with me. The moment they leave all their stuff goes away. Locks changed. Then if you catch them trying to break in, call the cops. No Lease means its not a "civil matter" as breaking in is a criminal matter.

[@MrDavidParikh]

You're not in california. Cops would force you to let squatter back in, and write a report that could be used as evidence in an unlawful eviction case and you could be charge for trespassing for entering your rental unit without prermission.

[@WaitingOnAngels]

@@MrDavidParikh You could also potentially get sued for treble damages.

[@uscjake868]

They gotta prove it. Cops see no lease, its breaking and entering, etc. If renters with a lease are overstaying thats a different squatter category.

[@WaitingOnAngels]

@@uscjake868 Nope, all she has to do is show one piece of mail with her name, along with that address, and the cops are out of there. After telling you it's a civil issue that is.

[@aryaprincess2479]

@@WaitingOnAngels Then you can show them one mail with the address and say it is your property. You can't just claim occupancy because you showed an email. In any case she wouldn't be allowed in.

[@chicfini]

My sympathy for people has waned very thin.

[@user-tf1gj8bv1f]

Fill the house with Fart Spray and criminals will not want to stay another minute.

[@veadair]

Landlords should sue the governor for rent money. This's crazy

[@NIKKI.KO99]

Her name is Elizabeth Hirschorn and she did this same thing to someone else in Oakland. What a bum

[@lilycalir6515]

Poor guy! She’s a tenant from hell

[@Yoursunshine-ku9yi]

Cut ALL the utilities off.. lol

[@Petra-ms3ku]

This is when you wait until she leaves, have a lock smith change the locks as you’re dumping her stuff out. Then let them figure out what to do. Are they going to let her back in?

[@user-gj8mn4ce8d]

It’s illegal to do this. Heard of people attempting to do this before but the tenant has their own rights. Occupant always has more rights in cases like these. It’s crazy!

[@kiandrah8517]

It sounds like my real estate agent. Maybe they are related?

[@DBRising]

Liz your dishonor will remain.

[@tammiebroggins]

As a former homeless person . Id like to know how this works? Id never do this

[@Helen-mh8mq]

Horrible. I had a friend who let jer daughters boyfriend stay for a while after he was kicked out of his house.When she told him he needs to go ,he tried to do this.Thank goodness it didn't work

[@LightThroughTrees]

I would release about 50,000 cockroaches in that home … :) or a pipe Might burst, or he might smell smoke and go in with 2-3 fire extinguishers! She might not want to stay after

[@beanz6795]

🤣

[@lissaruby78]

I'm moving in and being the worst roommate you can imagine.

[@sophieschoices9663]

Go for it! Im guessing he would pay someone to do it!

[@lissaruby78]

@@sophieschoices9663 I should have elaborated. I was surmising what I would think to do but yes I bet he would! I don't understand how she can get away with this. 😄

[@TheBang-bc1rk]

Never, NEVER extend an Airb&b lease!!

[@bonnielee316]

Yeah they made some sort of a law that hotels had to make their pools handicapped accessible and two lawyers teamed up together, grabbed people in wheelchairs off of the street, convinced them that society doesn’t treat them fairly; lied to them about the papers that they were signing and sued like crazy to make 2 million dollars real fast before it was caught and shut down. They got away with it. No repercussions for that.

[@arzuarcan3206]

Unbelievable 😮

[@anntricebriggs2978]

I’m so sorry this happened to you

[@brandilee3968]

Yes absolutely!!

[@kabbystevens5167]

Just “rent” it out to another group of people, have them gain occupancy while she is out.

[@urchickie]

I want to see this women interviewed

[@patriciapearl2529]

The only way he can get her out now is if the judge issues an official enforcement for her to allow the repairs. After the repairs, he can get it up to code and kick her ass out. Or, if she breaks the law in any single way, he can use that against her and inform the judge. There are loopholes he just needs to keep an eye out on her. I hope he doesn't give in and give her any money, she is an evil vulture with no morals.

[@WildflowerAnn]

She needs an extended free stay at the Behavioral Health Unit or maybe a State Mental Hospital.

[@Handotr]

No good deed goes unpunished.

[@wilsonh6844]

cut off power and water to that part of the house, force her to leave?

[@PaintsandArts-eu2ib]

Is THIS the „freedom“ of the USA?🤦‍♀️🤮

[@dustywilson5461]

He should sue the state of CA

[@evanmurphey]

Some people have no shame, so sad. So embarrassing

[@KS-pt2be]

I would physically remove her if it were my home! She would be more than willing to leave.

[@imonlineshopper]

This attorney was no help

[@daryoushsameyah8329]

When I told him his ideas were wrong, he called me a racist! A white supremacist! And how's all that non-racist and non-white supremacist laws working out for you NOW pal? Better? Or worse?

[@cmd663]

The attorney said nothing about a solution.

[@angelahodge6902]

He should hire bullhorn, Betty

[@jodyross6185]

get the Hell's Angels to remove her!!! for a thousand bucks!

[@paintjade]

I want to know what he did for this woman to have grounds to ask for a 6 figure settlement?

[@laurenr8790]

Bc the accessory dwelling unit isn’t permitted. She figured that out and used it against him.

[@tinaheald]

From Fox: She’s been living there rent-free ever since, and she refused to budge unless Jovanovic paid her a relocation fee of $100,000," the Times reports. Hirschhorn’s attorney told the Times that "she was not required to pay rent because the city had never approved the unit for occupancy and that its shower was constructed without a permit."

[@Catladyparkerville]

This would never happen in Australia. Your laws are crazy

[@brocktoon8]

I don't understand, this is squatting and that's illegal. Why can't they just call the cops and get her kicked out????

[@sierravista9013]

He can go into the house once she goes out he can legally empty her stuff out abd change the locks

[@beanz6795]

Sounds like a good plan but they'd probably say that's an illegal eviction unfortunately. Such a shame people can eat away with this ish. I just don't understand it.

[@sierravista9013]

@@beanz6795 in some states it's not illegal. I would do it anyway. I had someone not pay rent I shut the electric off for 3 days. It got him moving

[@jimtebelskis5437]

Yes. Back-payment plus penalty needs to be applied to her.

[@anntricebriggs2978]

She’s trying to get money out of these people that will be so evil Someone please help this man get this woman out his house

[@corrinnajordan2749]

This has been an issue since loooong before Covid. Just look at the 1990 movie "Pacific Heights." The squatter "laws" are ridiculous. I don't get where common sense doesn't correct these stupid laws. I can't understand how people are allowed to do this.

[@kandice278]

Turn electricity and water off!!!!

[@nancybean0101]

Try being a landlord in upstate NY. The last tenant did over $50k in damages. In New York you have no recourse.. you can sue and put a judgement against them. They’ll never pay it. Now I have to sell at a loss because i had a mortgage and at this point I can’t re-rent it. HORRIBLE NY

[@chrisscott541]

Come a long way since Calgary ❤

[@TheHiddenreefs]

Write another lease for the space to yourself. Then install live cameras and create a very annoying situation

[@marybethro3415]

Get rid of her!

[@nottellinnoone2074]

Something like this happened in hamilton Ontario , canada . The landlord ended up killing them both

[@ediedisorder7144]

California...knows how to party. You know where The Wall needs to be built?... between California and Oregon. They are leaving in an exodus and Oregon is victim of it.

[@shadow.banned]

Trying to steal $200k from the guy. That's tax dollars that California will lose to fix his property.

[@mommynab]

Bleeding heart has left him a victim. Stand up and kick her out! The unmitigated gall to stay rent free for 18 months then demand 100k to leave. Who comes up with this? She is lucky he is a kind man. Anyone else would have made her life a living hell every day until she left

[@daryoushsameyah8329]

Where's his yawmerker? He was wearing one in the last video?

[@vonrock6862]

Did he turn off water an power

[@FairBeautyEssentials]

Can you (the property owner gentleman in this video) turn off the water?

[@kisnhug6694]

He built this house without getting certain permits. 😂You can't put a house together with gum and band-aids😢

[@adamp462]

Get outta here with that bs. Contractors aren’t going to do thing’s wrong just because it isn’t going to be inspected

[@adamp462]

The fine used to be less than permit lol

[@janettepolt2815]

Pay an atty and kick her ass out. Most people are responsible and pay their fair share but there are those who constantly look for ways to get out of working hard as the rest of us do. God bless.

[@sophieschoices9663]

I would throw a party around her every night...call LA ppl, they'd help out! They'd be banging on her windows etc, calling her out! Apparently shes done this before, allegedly another "Anna Delvey"!!

[@JennWatson]

Turn off utilities and play loud music all night

[@oceancat0450]

No picture of the squatter?

[@lalapopp73]

A six month lease is not an Airbnb rental! It’s technically a short-term rental which falls under different laws. A friend had the same problem, no help whatsoever from the county in question (different county). And where’s Airbnb in all this mess? Don’t offer your spaces on vacation websites unless it’s two weeks or less and an agreement to have your private bodyguard service, kindly escort the occupant out, and to the airport. Hotels do it all the time! 😠😤😡

[@nasm6027]

I’ll just take a lost, by tearing the guest house down. Than she will have no place to stay, go make repairs to your home. The repairs will be made to where she will need to moved out. When I finish there will be no walls up just studs, no tub, stove electrical nothing

[@inbox0000]

he probably has been profitting at the expense of locals who cant find an affordable home, they are a scourge I have no sympathy

[@SensaiChanel96]

Couldn’t be me. She would have been out

[@acanadian9776]

I would get physical real quick.

[@paulinekamau9633]

I would move my friends and relatives in the house to piss her off

[@jimmyescobedo1332]

This is exactly why people don't want to help because of people like this lady taking advantage of the hard working class. The current system that we have is point less. Always support the lazy. This needs to change.

[@TrekoMundo]

dude forgot the police exists.

[@PenelopeGT]

The law 😂😂