Posted on 09/08/2024 6:18:51 AM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
A single mom in Durham, N.C. is finally getting her home back after squatters took it over.
Two people booked Farzana Rahman's two-bed, two-bath property via Airbnb for seven months. They then refused to leave when their stay was up in May 2024, claiming they're "legal residents" of the home.
Rahman ended up taking them to court to get her property back. But after they didn't show up to the hearing, the judge sided with Rahman and issued an eviction order. The Durham Sheriff's County Office served it to the guests on July 3, 2024.
Rahman changed the locks and hopes this ordeal is over, according to an update from ABC 11/WTVD.
“This is my place. I’m counting on this income. My son is in college [and] I’m a single parent,” Rahman told ABC11/WTVD before the hearing. She added that the eviction process was “wasting my time, it’s wasting my energy [and] it’s stressing me out.”
"No one should have to go through this. You would expect that people would understand rules and follow them, but it's just not the case in this instance," Rahman's assistant Jane Miller told the television station.....
Her guests paid what they owed through the Airbnb platform, but when her cleaner went to the property after the checkout time, the couple had not moved out and they told the cleaner not to return. When Rahman visited the property the next day with the police, she found a hand-written note stuck to the front door.
It read: “No trespassing. We will vacate the property when you have filed the proper paperwork with the civil magistrate for an eviction for we are legal residents of this home. If you try to enter, we will press charges for violation of expectation of privacy.”
(Excerpt) Read more at moneywise.com ...
These scammers have done this before. They new they could exploit her by taking advantage of the law regarding landlord-tenant disputes. Mind you they were not squatters in the true sense of the word because they were there under agreement (basically a lease). So yes to get them out did require eviction proceedings. As I stated the scammers new this. They probably have made other owners pay to get them out.
I don’t know why overstaying in an AirBnB or such is not treated like overstaying at a hotel/motel/ most likely to satisfy looking zoning codes which prohibit that commercial occupancy. Which means owners are at a risk if they agree to let someone stay in their home. One very good reason to consider carefully whether being a AirBnB host is a good idea after all.
You would be the one paying a very high fine and likely jail time. Oh and please, never, ever, ever try to act as your own attorney.
Your homeowner’s insurance will likely increase as well.
Who cares?
They did not meet the definition of a squatter sense they were legally permitted to occupy the house under the terms of the AirBnB (or such) agreement. That established a landlord-tenant relationship and a going to court to get an eviction was required.
Ahhh, You’re right. That would require an eviction here too. I forget democrats know ways around decency by watching the letter of the law and using it against trusting citizens.
I’ve got the local MC chapter of Hooligans on contract incase some yahoo want to try this with my B&B. 8 or 10 big ol bikers are always my next B&B customers. Trouble makers just gotta deal with stuff.
At the end of the lease, call the cops, have them point guns at the heads of the trespassers, then blow their brains out if they don’t comply.
It would only take this kind of enforcement once or twice and folks would get the word.
DAMAGES from AIR B & B renters are legendary
Renting out my place was great until it wasn’t. I am glad I sold when I did because seeing how easy the state just waved a pen and placed a moratorium on evictions for Kung Flu made me never want to be a landlord again. AND seeing how the illegals are being trained and encouraged to squat.... Things are going to get nasty.
A large fraction of them are routinely harassing honest citizens for fun and profit. And a large fraction of them embody the slang term "pigs" ...
Maybe have them sign a statement they will vacate and they will not put up no tresspassing signs nor will they sue them for rights of property after their time frame of rental.
An owner’s nightmare.
Yikes.
I think all scammers know how to use the law or court system to their advantage. And like all cons they know how to make someone fall for their approach. In deciding what scam or con to pull they also weigh the risks. One big factor is that they know if they do get caught it will cost the victim in terms of time and money with no guarantee of justice for them. Most honest working people can’t afford heavy legal expense and lengthy court battles. Even when judgment is favorable actually collecting any money is a toss up.
It really does stink.
No police officer is going to do that.
I managed to live a long life without investing in real estate—the stress I did not have will probably add some additional years to my life.
I would also put in the contract(lease) that all utilities will be disconnected at the end of the rental period since the house will be vacant. I would also put in that generators are not permitted on property (in case they think that will be a work around). An alternative would be to make sure you arrange for major work to be done at that time if you have the money and were planning on it anyway. Loud work with a lot of people coming and going for days.
Right...it’s better to get your lawyer’s bouncer.
I used to own rental property...red state (TN) but it took maybe 8 weeks to get a court date. We did get the eviction but did need the lawyer’s bouncer.
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