Two alleged squatters who used a Shake Shack receipt to prove their residency in a $930,000 home in Queens, New York, have abandoned their lawsuit against the lawful owners after refusing to leave the property for months. Attorney Rizpah Morrow stated that the squatters discontinued their case as their evidence was not strong. This incident was seen as an abuse of the court system, with Morrow expressing disappointment that there was not more court intervention in the matter.
The squatters, Lance Hunt Jr. and Rondie L. Francis, were discovered by Top Nest Properties broker Ejona Bardhi Shyti residing in a Queens property managed for owners Juliya Fulman and Denis Kurlyand. Fulman, who bought the property through an LLC and invested $530,000 in it, expressed a desire for “full justice” in the case, as she believed the squatters had broken into her home and claimed it as their own. Fulman emphasized the importance of preventing squatters from taking over homes and urged for stronger laws to protect homeowners.
Fulman believes that the law in New York has loopholes that squatters exploit, leading to a crisis for honest homeowners. Despite the lawsuit against her and her husband being discontinued, Fulman continues to advocate for homeowners’ rights and protecting themselves from squatter situations. She stressed the importance of pushing back against criminals trying to drive people out of New York and ensuring that honest homeowners do not fall victim to squatters taking over their properties.
The two alleged squatters, Hunt and Francis, presented legal documents claiming residency in the Queens duplex, including receipts and utility bills. They alleged that they had paid rent and a security deposit for the property. However, Fulman and Kurlyand disputed the authenticity of the documents, stating that they were fraudulent and likely photoshopped. The legal battle with the squatters highlighted the challenges homeowners face when dealing with squatters who exploit laws to remain on properties illegally.
Squatters and tenants’ rights laws vary across the country, with some states making it difficult for homeowners to reclaim their properties from squatters. In states like New York, where laws may favor squatters, victims are often left with few options and face long and costly legal processes to regain possession of their homes. The case of the alleged squatters in Queens serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by homeowners dealing with squatters and the need for stronger laws to protect property owners from exploitation by squatters.
