Jamaica, Queens, New York – A couple in Queens, New York, is embroiled in a legal battle with alleged squatters who unlawfully took over their $930,000 duplex. This incident adds to the ongoing saga of squatters occupying homes in the borough, taking advantage of New York City’s lenient laws.
The rightful owners of the property, Juliya Fulman and Denis Kurlyand, have incurred legal expenses of over $4,000 as they fight to regain control of their investment home. They expressed frustration over the situation, stating that the city’s laws do not adequately protect homeowners from such invasions.
In New York City, squatters only need to occupy a property for 30 days to gain legal protections that make it challenging for owners to evict them. The couple, who had renovated the Lakeside Avenue property at a cost of $530,000, discovered the locks had been changed without authorization, leading to a confrontation with the alleged squatters.
Despite presenting ownership documents and evidence that the house had been vacant, the couple faced a court battle as the squatters sued them, claiming rights to the property. The situation escalated when the squatters brandished a lease agreement they alleged was signed by the couple’s real estate broker.
The legal proceedings have been tense, with the couple expressing concern over the unpredictability of the court’s decisions. They highlighted the challenges faced by landlords in evicting squatters, emphasizing the need for stronger protections for property owners.
As the case continues in court, the couple remains hopeful for a resolution in their favor. They underscored the need for safety precautions to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that homeowners are adequately protected from unlawful takeovers of their properties.