NYC Homeowner Arrested For Changing Locks After Squatters Take Over.Time to leave NYC

[Account Closed]

A woman who inherited a home in New York City full of people squatting illegally was arrested and led away in handcuffs after she changed the locks.

Adele Andaloro, 47, was placed under arrest at her $1 million home in Flushing, Queens.

As the Post further reports, this is the latest such incident - which comes weeks after a couple's plan to move into a $2 million home in Douglaston, Queens with their disabled son was derailed by a squatter who claimed to have an agreement with the previous owner.

In another incident, a squatter turned a Rockaways home into a 'house of horrors' with over a dozen emaciated cats and dogs trapped inside.

[Mike Dymski]

Quote from @Abel Curiel:

Quote from @Account Closed:

A woman who inherited a home in New York City full of people squatting illegally was arrested and led away in handcuffs after she changed the locks.

Adele Andaloro, 47, was placed under arrest at her $1 million home in Flushing, Queens.

As the Post further reports, this is the latest such incident - which comes weeks after a couple's plan to move into a $2 million home in Douglaston, Queens with their disabled son was derailed by a squatter who claimed to have an agreement with the previous owner.

In another incident, a squatter turned a Rockaways home into a 'house of horrors' with over a dozen emaciated cats and dogs trapped inside.

Super unfortunate. I love Queens and I love New York but some things here are so backwards.

It is WILD to look the other way from negative behavior and punish those who defend themselves and their possessions. Having "squatter rights" for NY residences is like having "shoplifter rights" in our stores.

In the article you referenced, they talk about the squatter showing up to court representing himself. I've fought similar situations in housing courts and this tactic can do 2 things: 1. Delay hearings and other court proceedings 2. Gain sympathy from the court/jurors as it is seen that the defendant cannot afford proper representation. 

Total BS but thats the way it goes in NY unfortunately... While cases like this are not as common as the media makes it seem, even 1 of these horror stories is too many.

Ok.. rant over... 

NY is still great but landlords need to:

- proceed with caution

- read Brandon Turner's books 

- implement strict requirements and systems for tenant screening and property management

Unfortunate is not the right word.  Intentional is the right word (in certain states).  And this stuff does happen a lot.  Lots of homeowners subsidized residents' rents during the eviction moron-atorium (while residents worked during historically low unemployment, and residents did not apply for available free rent because they did not need to).  We get what we allow.