NY homeowner arrested after changing locks on alleged squatters, report says [View all]

[ripcord]

When officers arrived, they asked the men to prove their resident status. While Andaloro had the property deed in hand, neither individual could present leasing documents to back up their claims.

One man showed the outlet bills for work he claimed to have done to the house. He also claimed to have moved into the house with the help of a realtor, but would not name that individual. Officers then escorted the two men out.

After that encounter, Andaloro reportedly called a locksmith to change the locks on the house. Minutes after having the locks changed, the two men returned and called police, reportedly saying Andaloro had illegally evicted them.

In New York, it is illegal for a landlord to turn off utilities, change locks or remove belongings of someone claiming to be a tenant. Because state laws also grant rights to those who have been squatters for at least 30 days, police told Andaloro the issue had become a landlord-tenant dispute which could only be settled in housing court.

https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/ny-homeowner-arrested-after-changing-locks-on-alleged-squatters-report-says-nyc-adele-andaloro-flushing-queens-kathy-hochul-eric-adams-big-apple-abc-7-long-island-arrest-handcuffs-squatting-home-rights

This crap couldn't get anymore absurd, now they don't even have to show any proof, I guess you can just walk into a house and claim residency. After 30 days they have tenants rights and these cops just gave it to these grifters with no evidence. Now with evictions taking over 20 months this poor woman has to pay the utilities for the trash living there all that time or she goes back to jail.