A New York City couple bought their dream house for $2 million to retire alongside their disabled son only to find a ‘nightmare’ squatter who is refusing to leave.
Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, purchased the perfect mansion in Douglaston, Queens, where they planned to enjoy retirement and care for their son Alex, who has Down Syndrome.
The multi-million dollar property is located next door to family members and in a neighborhood where the Landa family have spent their entire lives.
‘I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he’s next to his brother,’ Susana said of her disabled son.
Susana and Joseph’s dreams were crushed when, after buying the home in October, they discovered the house had been claimed by a squatter.
A New York City couple bought their dream house for $2 million in Queens to retire alongside their disabled son only to find a ‘nightmare’ squatter who is refusing to leave
Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, purchased the perfect mansion in Douglaston, Queens, where they planned to enjoy retirement
‘I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he’s next to his brother,’ mother-of-three Susana said of her disabled son Alex
‘It has become a nightmare, a total nightmare,’ said Joseph Landa told ABC7.
Four months after making the big purchase, the Landa family are still unable to actually move into their dream home as they continue to face obstacles in trying to kick the intruder out.
‘I wake up and I go to sleep thinking about the same thing, when is this guy going to come out?’ Susana, a mother-of-three, said.
The squatter has been identified as Brett Flores, who is claiming that he has every right to be on the property after being hired as a ‘caretaker’ for the previous owner.
Flores described in his own words in court documents why he ‘deserved’ to be living at the property.
‘We couldn’t believe it, we could not believe it,’ Susana said.
Court documents show that Flores, 32, was indeed hired by the former homeowner, who was an elderly man.
The man passed away in January of 2023 but Flores has claimed that he has a ‘license’ to stay in the house from the dead former-owner.
As a ‘caretaker’ – Flores was paid $3,000 a week to care for the previous homeowner.
The squatter has been identified as Brett Flores, who is claiming that he has every
Not only has Flores taken over the Landa’s family home to-be, they are claiming the squatter has also advertised the home online to rent the rooms to other people
The homeowners tried to enter the property alongside an insurance inspector and Flores called the cops on them
Unfortunately for the Landa family, squatters who have set up camp at a property for more than 30 days have rights in New York City.
After 30 days of continuous occupation, squatters can file adverse possession claims.
‘If you have no lease and you’re not paying rent, what is you right?’ the outraged homeowner Joseph said.
Not only has Flores taken over the Landa’s family home to-be, they are claiming the squatter has also advertised the home online to rent rooms to other people.
In the online listings, Flores advertised ‘The Prince Room’ for $50 a night to males, female, couples, families or students looking for a place to stay.
His rental services had even garnered three reviews, suggesting that Flores could have hosted paying renters at the Landa’s home.
The Landa’s are taking Flores to landlord-tenant court to try and get him evicted, but the court hearing is not until April.
‘Long story short, he is still there,’ Susana said.
The homeowners tried to enter the property alongside an insurance inspector and Flores called the cops on them.
The family have already had five hearings in civil court and are complaining that the process keeps getting delayed.
Flores has showed up for court without an attorney and filed for bankruptcy on January 9, 2024, which prevented any legal proceedings from going forward.
While Flores is living rent free in the family’s dream home, they are paying all of the bills to keep the house up and running
Flores has racked up thousands of dollars in utilities while living in the Queens property, which Joseph and Susana have had to pay
While Flores is living rent free in the family’s dream home, they are paying all of the bills to keep the house up and running.
Flores has racked up thousands of dollars in utilities, which Joseph and Susana have had to pay.
Susana said Flores has been ‘leaving windows open 24 hours’ while they are paying the heating bills.
‘It’s very crazy, our system is broken,’ Susana said. ‘I never would imagine we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.’
‘It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair and not able to do anything,’ Joseph said.
Flores’ attorney told ABC7 ‘no comment’.