Queens Homeowners Face Legal Battle After Finding Squatters in Property

A married couple invested over $500k in a Queens property to rent out, but found squatters had moved in and changed the locks when they did a site check. The squatters claim to have legally leased it.

The homeowners had to take off work and spend $4k on legal fees to get the squatters evicted, who sued them for illegal lockout and damages. The squatters provided fake leases and documents.

The police told the homeowners and realtor that the squatters have rights under NY housing laws and they can't simply remove them, saying this is a "common scam" happening across Queens.

The squatters brought numerous people to court to avoid identification and provided photoshopped evidence. Their lawyer believes they rented in good faith from someone claiming to represent the homeowners.

The homeowners intended to provide affordable housing to a young mother and postal worker with kids, but now they and their tenants are locked in a legal battle with the professional squatters.