A man lived in a three-bedroom house he did not own for over 20 years, successfully avoiding eviction during that time.
A man managed to live in a three-bedroom house for more than 20 years without ever owning it.
This unusual story shows how he avoided eviction for such a long time.
Many people would wonder how someone could stay in a house that does not belong to them for two decades.
Man defaults on mortgage and lives in house he didn’t own for over 20 years
Guramrit Hanspal, 52, acquired the 2,081-square-foot East Meadow residence back in 1998 for $290,000.
However, after just one mortgage payment of $1,602.37, he defaulted on subsequent payments.
Employing a series of legal maneuvers, Hanspal managed to dwell in the house without paying the mortgage for over 20 years.
His tactics included starting four lawsuits and declaring bankruptcy seven times.
He used the U.S. Bankruptcy Code’s rules to gain temporary protection from being removed from the house.
Despite a foreclosure judgment in May 2000 that legally prevented him from claiming the property, he continued his residence there.
The property changed hands multiple times over the years, passing from Washington Mutual to JP Morgan Chase, and eventually to the current owner, Diamond Ridge Partners, a real estate firm.
Each successive owner faced challenges in removing Hanspal from the premises, embroiled in prolonged legal battles.
Legal authorities expressed mounting frustration as the case dragged on for approximately two decades.
Nassau District Court Judge Scott Fairgrieve, during a housing court proceeding in December 2019, emphasized the need to conclude the prolonged legal saga.
Attorney raises concerns about misuse of legal system in eviction cases
Attorney Jordan Katz represents Diamond Ridge Partners.
He expressed concerns about individuals like Hanspal who misuse the legal system to extend their illegal stay.
Katz indicated the unprecedented duration of Hanspal’s illegal stay in the foreclosed property.
“People like Hanspal are more than willing to use the courts and abuse the courts to whatever extent they need to extend their illegal occupancy,” Katz said.
Eviction marks conclusion of long legal battle for Hanspal and tenant
Hanspal shared the house with another resident, Bhagwant Srichawla, who, tragically, passed away in a car accident.
Despite facing a final legal setback in November 2021, Hanspal was eventually evicted from the property in that same year.
Nassau County Sheriff’s deputies enforced the eviction by changing the locks on the house.
This action marked the end of a long legal battle to remove him from the property.
Following his eviction, Hanspal’s tenant, Parmjit Puar, filed an emergency motion with the court seeking a 30-day extension, citing a lack of alternative housing options.