Are you curious about the realities of having a squatter on your property and everything that comes with it? You’re not alone. Today, I’m going to share my experience from about a month ago that sheds light on this often-overlooked issue. Join me as I recount the challenges and lessons learned during this unexpected journey.
It all started with an unusual $2,000 water bill for a duplex property we managed in West Mayfair, PA. What stood out was that one tenant was renting both units—a highly unusual arrangement—and the rent was $2,600 a month. It also came to my attention that this tenant hadn’t paid rent in several months, and all the phone numbers and emergency contacts we had for him were disconnected.
My partner and broker suggested I check out the property in person, so he gave me all the keys. Upon arriving, I noticed a few concerning things. The grass was up to my waist, and the tenant was responsible for either hiring someone to cut the lawn or doing it himself. As I approached the building, I saw there was a hardwired security system with motion detectors that loudly announced I was being surveilled. When I tried to use the keys to open the doors, it appeared that all the locks had been changed illegally without our consent.
When I knocked on the window of the first floor, someone knocked back. He identified himself as the nephew of the person renting the place. I informed him that we had been trying to reach him or someone for a couple of months regarding a large water bill. When I asked if I could enter the property, he said yes. I then inquired about where his uncle lived, and he mentioned that he stayed upstairs in the second-floor unit.
Upon going upstairs, I noticed that the door had been kicked in and the locks had been tampered with. The unit was completely empty, as if no one had ever lived there, which struck me as odd. In the bathroom, I noticed a compartment in the ceiling that had been unscrewed, likely for hiding cash or drugs.
I then went downstairs into the basement and noticed a giant Pitbull that had been urinating and defecating everywhere. The smell was unbearable. Inside the garage, there were two extremely expensive vehicles, probably worth between $100,000 to $200,000. This was another red flag.
I confronted the nephew, who admitted he was living there but wasn’t on the lease. I told him neither he nor the cars were authorized to be there and that I would have them ticketed and towed away by the police if they weren’t removed. He got very upset, especially when I told him neither he, his wife, nor his three small children were authorized to stay there.
At this point, the unpaid rent and water bill amounted to approximately $16,000. The nephew contacted his uncle in the Dominican Republic, who was on vacation. I spoke to the uncle and told him he owed a lot of money in rent and violated the lease agreement by allowing his nephew to stay there. We negotiated a deal where he would pay $8,000 and vacate the property within two weeks.
Instead of sending me his email address to finalize the agreement, he ignored me, saying he was too busy enjoying his vacation. Meanwhile, I kept checking on the property, but things escalated. The nephew didn’t like that I was “interfering” with his enjoyment of the property. I found out he didn’t have keys and was entering the property by climbing through windows and using automatic garage door openers.
At that point, I knew for sure he was a squatter. I decided to take action by changing the locks with the owner’s permission. My crew and I nailed all the doors and windows shut, including the garage doors, and disabled the electricity to the garage door openers.
We started cleaning the property, which smelled like trash. Amongst the clothes in the closet, my cleaning crew found a giant plastic pack containing small baggies with drugs. The police were already present to ticket the cars in the garage, and they confirmed it was approximately $50,000 worth of heroin with fentanyl. They called for backup, and the Philadelphia drug task force arrived.
Suddenly, my phone started ringing with calls from the squatter and the person in the Dominican Republic asking to retrieve their dog, vehicles, and belongings. The police were present when they arrived, and everyone was arrested for suspicion of drug manufacturing and selling.
The police obtained a search warrant and went through the property and cars, finding more evidence. The squatter was removed, and the building was finally empty.
This experience taught me that dealing with squatters is a complex and challenging process that requires patience and persistence. If you’re facing a similar situation, every case is different. With 37 years of experience dealing with landlords, tenants, and investors, I’m here to help.
For anyone in our audience dealing with squatters or unauthorized use of your property, feel free to reach out for a free consultation. I can probably help.
Using these steps can greatly increase your chances of successfully resolving issues with squatters while ensuring the legal process is followed correctly.
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As experienced cash for home Philly experts, we understand the complexities of the real estate market and are equipped to provide you with a quick and hassle-free solution. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us help you regain control of your property and turn your property troubles into cash!
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