Posted on 07/06/2017 2:38:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Cobb County woman is filled with frustration after she says strangers moved into the vacant house she was selling without her knowledge.
Getting them out is tougher than you might think.
Channel 2's Ross Cavitt talked to both sides of this problem and found out important information for homeowners.
Dena Everman couldn't believe it and can't believe the situation she is in.
After finding someone living in her home, and a broken window in the back, she assumed a quick call to the police would clear out the trespassers.
"I found out in the past week there is some archaic law that says if someone sets up residence in your home, it doesn't matter how they get in there they have rights until we evict them,” Everman said.
She says the family found it listed for rent on Craigslist, they signed a lease by fax, paid their rent via money order, never saw the ad poster and only learned there was a problem when Everman called the police.
The next day she went to the courthouse where she says deputies told her she could stay.
"And they told us until these people come and forcibly evict us they can't force us out on our rights," Pritchett said.
Pritchett says the family is looking for another place to move, but admits for now they're staying.
"We're not just trying to stay in your home and hold you up on your sale. But at the same time, we just spent $3,000 -- that's not something we can just pull out and immediately move somewhere else, you know,” Pritchett said.
Everman is mad, she may lose the pending sale on her house, and tells me her posts on her situation have generated anger.
"Outrage. Everybody doesn't understand why someone who has no legal right to be in my home can stay in my home and I'm the one who has to evict them,” Everman said.
A lawyer who handles these cases told Cavitt that in real estate, possession really is nine-tenths of the law and the homeowner will have to go through the painful eviction process, which could take four to six weeks.
Interesting trick, that.
Oh noes.... there is a bug infestation, as property owner we need a bug tent around the house and noxious insecticide used to get rid of the bugs....
12 gauge eviction.
Well, if you take the responsibility of defending you, your family, and property, then you confront the threat with a carefully aimed weapon and let them know they have 3 seconds to leave.
Call the cops after the threat has departed.
... but didn't get a key? Had to smash their way in through a window?
Something's fishy here...
That's not what the expression says...
It's "nine points" of the law.
Don’t go to the police next time. Hire some Mafia guys.
How is "a vacant house she was selling without her knowledge" also "her home"? It's her house, but if it's a "home" to anyone, it would be the squatters.
I’d burn it down! On principal alone
Who received the $3000. deposit?
They should return the money, since the owner apparently didn’t authorize the sale.
Seriously?? They moved in without her knowledge! Not the house was selling without her knowledge. Sheesh
Maybe I am reading it wrong but it seems the folks in the house paid for a lease and rent.
Yep. And if that’s not your cup of tea - there is probably a Vinne Gambino around.
These things are not explained so we can’t determine who is holding the dead fish.
[ the family found it listed for rent on Craigslist, they signed a lease by fax, paid their rent via money order...
... but didn’t get a key? Had to smash their way in through a window?
Something’s fishy here... ]
either that or their Lawyer told them to say that....
Let’s see....
Craig’s list ad : Easy to use anonymously
Sign lease via Fax: Easy to use anonymously
Pay via Money Order: Hard to track
I would say kick them out and tell them they just got a 3,000 dollar education in the school of life.
I am betting a few things could be true:
1. The Squatter made up a backstory about renting through craig’s list scammer after breaking/moving in.
2. The Squatter knows the “scammer” and is in on it, went through all the motions to appear as if they are a victim and conspired with the scammer.
3. The Squatter got taken for the ride by an actual unrelated scammer.
There are a number of anomalies in this piece. I would withhold judgment on just who are the bad guys until further information.
Instead of calling the police and getting all this mess, can’t a person simply enter their own home, that they have title to, and then, discovering strangers in the house, the castle doctrine would allow them to shoot said strangers or at least force them from the house at gunpoint. Once they’re outside, call the police and have them thrown off your land for trespassing.
That is the scam. Someone listed the property for rent, signed a lease and has been collecting rent for property they do not own. No one seems to be going after the scammers.
Just some thoughts
Turn off the water supply, then notify the health dept.
Dump all the freon out of air conditioner
Turn off electricity
Car fires suck
Remove electric meter, jump the line, call electric company
Super glue all the door locks
Notify Jehovah witness you’d like to meet them
Plywood full of nails for a doormat, morning surprise
Put them on every mailing list you can find
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.