A 'culture of lawlessness' has allowed squatters to take control of properties and haul homeowners through costly, lengthy legal battles, a real estate broker facing alleged squatters of her own told Fox News. 'Squatters are a major problem not only in the area, but all over New York,' Top Nest Properties broker Ejona Bardhi Shyti told Fox News while standing in Queens.
Shyti said she discovered in March that two squatters moved into a Queens property she manages, changed the locks and refused to leave, the Daily Mail reported. The alleged squatters claimed they could legally occupy the property and sued Shyti and the firm that owns it. Right now, we have real leases signed with real tenants who are waiting to get into the units at Lakewood Avenue,' Shyti said. 'However, they're unable to do so because of this squatter situation.' The two alleged squatters, Lance Hunt Jr. and Rondie L. Francis, submitted to the court a residential lease agreement, utility bills, rent checks and mail addressed to them at the duplex, along with a $25.27 Shake Shack receipt delivered through Uber Eats on Jan.
She said New York needs to step up to protect homeowners and landlords' rights. She commended Florida for a new law that allows police to remove squatters and adds criminal penalties. 'I think New York City should definitely follow Florida's lead,' Shyti said. New York Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, a Republican, introduced a bill last May that would clarify the definition of tenant to exclude squatters and up the 30-day threshold to claim squatters' rights to 45 days.
Squatters are not tenants and do not deserve tenants' rights,' Shyti said. 'I think that this new bill is going to allow police officers to do their jobs and to get these trespassers and these criminals out of these homes.' The next court date in Shyti's case is scheduled for Friday, the Daily Mail reported.