A judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by alleged squatters who sued the owners of a $930,000 Queens home after being escorted off the property. The lawsuit was discontinued with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. The squatters did not show up for their court appearance, and the owners of the home, Juliya Fulman and Denis Kurlyand, expressed that while they prevailed in the case, the systemic issues surrounding squatters remain a concern. Fulman emphasized the need for lawmakers to create laws to protect property owners from such incidents.
The couple had invested over half a million dollars in renovating the Jamaica residence as an investment property and incurred thousands of dollars in legal fees defending their ownership. The squatters, identified as Lance Hunt and Rondie L. Francis, claimed they had been unlawfully removed from the residence they were renting legally from the owners. However, the owners presented evidence, including surveillance footage and paperwork, proving that the house had been vacant since January and that the squatters had caused damage to the property.
The legal dispute began when a real estate broker discovered the squatters occupying the home and alerted the police. The squatters claimed they had been living in the residence for months and presented a lease agreement, but the owners denied renting it to them. The owners changed the locks after demonstrating ownership with proper documentation, which prompted the squatters to file a lawsuit. The lawsuit included forged documents and receipts to support their claim of legal occupancy, including payments for rent and a security deposit.
The owners, along with the real estate company handling the property, were sued by the alleged squatters. During an emergency lockout hearing, the squatters’ attorney requested a trial, accusing the men of perpetrating a fraud. The owners expressed disbelief at the audacity of the squatters to show up in court with fabricated evidence. The judge ultimately ruled in favor of the owners, acknowledging the challenges in the NYC legal system related to squatters’ rights and the ease with which squatters can claim legal protections after occupying a property for just 30 days.
The case highlighted concerns about how squatters’ rights matters are handled in the NYC legal system, with the real estate broker noting the potential for abuse by individuals looking to acquire property for free. The owners, attorney, and real estate broker criticized the lack of protection for property owners and the challenges in dealing with such situations. The squatters’ lawyer did not respond to requests for comment, leaving the owners feeling unsatisfied with the outcome and emphasizing the need for legal reforms to address the issue of squatters in New York City. Despite prevailing in the lawsuit, the owners reiterated the need for legislative action to protect property owners from similar incidents in the future.
