Apr 2, 2024
Stories of squatters continue to make headlines in the U.S. as homeowners find out securing their properties is a lot more complicated than they ever imagined.
Adele Andaloro was preparing to sell the childhood home she inherited in Flushing, Queens when squatters took over, installed a new front door and changed the locks.
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Last month, the news team at ABC7 New York's Eyewitness News were filming when she entered the home, confronted the squatters and was eventually arrested by the police for trying to keep them out by getting the locks changed.
Now the New York Post has learned of what appears to be a complex web of dealings surrounding Andaloro's four-bedroom house.
A "Range Rover-driving" man named Brian Rodriguez claims he was scammed by a realtor into “renting” the house with a fake lease. He subsequently sublet the property as a way to earn some extra cash. The squatters living in the home claimed they are paying Rodriguez rent.
Rodriguez told the New York Post he will move the squatters out and give up on the house if Andaloro pays him $18,000. He said this would cover upgrades he spent on, like repairing the plumbing, doing electric work, re-painting and cleaning the house.
Last month, Andaloro expressed her frustration to ABC7 New York, stating, “I'm really fearful that these people are going to get away with stealing my home.”
According to New York State law, squatters obtain tenant rights after occupying a property for 30 days and homeowners can only evict them by taking the matter to court. According to ABC7 New York, local and state lawmakers are seeking to change the law.
Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz has filed a new bill to make it so that squatters will not be given tenant rights but will be considered trespassers instead.
Cops called, owner arrested
When Andaloro entered her home with the ABC7 New York crew last month, the men she found inside called the police.
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“They've called the police on me and I've called the locksmith," Andaloro said. "We didn't come in illegally, the door was open."
Police arrived and interviewed the men, who could not provide documentation to show that they had been there for more than 30 days. One man was taken away in handcuffs and the other was escorted off the property.
But that’s not the end of the story.
Before the police left, they warned the homeowner about changing the locks.
“I may end up in handcuffs today if a man shows up here and says I have illegally evicted him,” Andaloro said.
Despite the warning, Andaloro proceeded to change the locks. Shortly thereafter, another man, accompanied by the previously escorted squatter, forced entry into the house.
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“Do you see this? This guy just literally broke down my door, broke through myself and my daughter," a distraught Andaloro said.
Police showed up again, arresting Andaloro for unlawful eviction.
One officer told Andaloro, “He can't be kicked out, you need to go to court.”
ABC7 highlighted that in New York, it is illegal to disconnect the utilities, change the locks, or remove the possessions of people claiming tenant status.
The NYPD told the New York Post that Andalaro was charged with unlawful eviction and slapped with a criminal court summons. They said no other arrests or summonses were issued.
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The report added that Andaloro says she is now being forced to start an eviction filing in court to settle the dispute.
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Outrage
The confrontation and the arrest, posted to the television network's YouTube channel, quickly went viral.
Viewers expressed their frustration and disbelief, with the top comment stating, “This is a STUPID law. I am triggered watching this video.”
Another top comment highlighted that the squatters “got way more rights than the homeowners who worked hard to have the house they owned” and argued that “the squatters should be arrested, not the homeowner.”
Others questioned why the squatters didn’t get arrested for breaking into Andaloro’s home and changing the locks in the first place.
DailyMail.com says two 'vigilantes' showed up to the home looking to get the occupants out.
This incident has reignited discussions on the issue of squatter's rights, especially with regards to certain states like California and New York.
Dr. Ben Carson, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, recently remarked on another similar case, “Squatter’s rights? You’ve got to be kidding me. Squatters don't have any rights. They have no right to be in your house. What are they going to have next? Trespasser’s rights? That makes no sense whatsoever.”
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Jing is an investment reporter for MoneyWise. He is an avid advocate of investing for passive income. Despite the ups and downs he’s been through with the markets, Jing believes that you can generate a steadily increasing income stream by investing in high quality companies.
