A NYC couple is facing a lawsuit from squatters who have allegedly taken over their $930,000 investment property and won’t leave.
In a case emerging from Queens, New York, a couple finds themselves embroiled in a legal battle over their $930,000 investment home.
Juliya Fulman and Denis Kurlyand are currently facing a lawsuit from individuals who allegedly squatted on their property.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges landlords face in New York City, particularly regarding squatters’ rights.
NYC couple faces lawsuit from squatters refusing to leave their $930K investment home
Homeowners discover unauthorized changes and intimidation during property inspection
The couple purchased the duplex intending to renovate it and rent it out.
After investing around $530,000 in renovations, they were eager to welcome tenants.
However, their plans took an unexpected turn when they discovered that the locks on their property had been changed without their permission.
This shocking discovery came on March 5, 2024, when their real estate broker, Ejona Bardhi, found the situation alarming.
Upon investigating, Bardhi noticed a figure inside the house.
A man in a hooded sweatshirt reportedly held a drill, suggesting that someone was doing unauthorized work.
When Bardhi tried to call the police, several men surrounded her and allegedly attempted to intimidate her.
This encounter underlined the tense atmosphere surrounding the property.
“You can’t really even blame them in a way because it’s handed to them on a silver platter,” Juliya’s partner, Denis Kurlyand said.
“Something needs to be done because the issue is getting worse. People are taking advantage of these laws, manipulating the laws, and our hands are tied,” he said.
“What did we do? Nothing. We put up a property for rent, and that’s it, now we’re dealing with a nightmare.”
When law enforcement arrived, the two alleged squatters, identified as Lance Hunt and Rondie L. Francis, claimed they had been living there since January.
However, they were unable to provide any documentation to support their assertion.
The police ultimately escorted the men out of the property, allowing Fulman and Kurlyand to regain access.
However, their relief was short-lived.
Squatters file lawsuit after homeowners change locks
After the couple changed the locks to secure their home, Hunt and Francis returned with a lease agreement that they claimed Bardhi signed.
This prompted the squatters to file a lawsuit against the homeowners, claiming rights to the property.
This legal maneuver has left Fulman and Kurlyand bewildered and frustrated.
Fulman expressed disbelief at the situation, stating, “It’s absolutely absurd. These people literally broke into my house.”
The couple has already incurred over $4,000 in legal fees while fighting this case.
They feel that the laws in New York City are not adequately protecting homeowners from such situations.
“They found whatever they could and threw it all together. The lease they presented is ridiculous — signed on Jan. 1 and starting Jan. 1,” he said.
Fulman added, “I don’t know how they had the audacity to show up in court.”
New York’s laws regarding squatters can be quite lenient.
A squatter can establish legal residency after occupying a property for as little as 30 days.
This loophole has led to numerous cases where homeowners struggle to evict unauthorized occupants.
Kurlyand criticized the system, saying, “Something needs to be done because the issue is getting worse. People are taking advantage of these laws.”
The couple had high hopes for their investment property, which they had worked hard to renovate.
When they finally regained access to their home, they felt dismayed to see the house in disarray.
They saw scuffed wood floors, and scratched walls, and they smelled marijuana lingering in the air.
This destruction only compounded their frustration and sense of violation.
Court battle continues despite homeowners’ evidence of ownership
Despite providing evidence of ownership, including timestamped videos and official documents, the couple’s ordeal is far from over.
The squatters’ legal team has claimed that their clients have sufficient proof to support their residency claim.
The court will hear arguments from both sides on April 5, 2024.
“The court system is not favorable to landlords,” Kurlyand said.
“It could take years to evict someone who illegally broke into your house? Where’s the law in that? Why work hard to pay rent or mortgages when you can break into somebody’s house every couple of years and have luxury living?” He added.
“Somebody broke into my house, and I’m in court getting sued by them.
How can we be here? How is this possible? There have to be safety precautions in place,” Kurlyand emphasized.