A New York City couple bought their dream home for $2 million to retire with their disabled son, only to find a “nightmare” squatter who refuses to leave.
Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, bought the perfect mansion in Douglaston, Queens, where they planned to enjoy their retirement and care for their son Alex, who has Down syndrome.
The multimillion-dollar property sits next to family members and in a neighborhood where the Landa family has lived their entire lives.
“I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he will be next to his brother,” Susana said of her disabled son.
Susana and Joseph's dreams were shattered when, after purchasing the home in October, they discovered that the house had been claimed by a squatter named Brett Flores.
A New York City couple bought their dream home in Queens for $2 million to retire with their disabled son, only to find a “nightmare” squatter who refuses to leave
Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, purchased the perfect mansion in Douglaston, Queens, where they planned to retire
“I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he will be next to his brother,” mother-of-three Susana said of her disabled son Alex
“It's become a nightmare, a total nightmare,” Joseph Landa told ABC7.
Four months after the big purchase, the Landa family still can't move into their dream home as they continue to face obstacles in kicking out the intruder.
“I wake up and go to sleep with the same thought: When is this guy coming out?” Susana, a mother of three, said.
Flores claims he has every right to be on the property after being hired as a “caretaker” for the previous owner.
Flores described in his own words in court documents why he “deserved” to live at the property.
“We couldn’t believe it, we couldn’t believe it,” Susana said.
Court documents indicate that Flores, 32, was actually hired by the former homeowner, an older man.
The man died in January 2023, but Flores claimed he received a “license” to stay in the home from the late former owner.
As a “caretaker,” Flores was paid $3,000 a week to take care of the former homeowner.
The squatter has been identified as Brett Flores, who claims to have everything
Not only did Flores take over the Landa family's future home, they claim the squatter also advertised the home online to rent the rooms to other people
The homeowners attempted to enter the property along with an insurance inspector, and Flores called police
Unfortunately for the Landa family, squatters who have camped on a property for more than 30 days have rights in New York City.
After 30 days of continuous occupation, squatters can claim damages.
“If you don’t have a lease and don’t pay rent, what’s wrong with you?” said outraged homeowner Joseph.
In addition to taking over the Landa family's future home, Flores claims the squatter also advertised the home online to rent rooms to other people.
In the online listings, Flores advertised The Prince Room for $50 a night to men, women, couples, families or students looking for accommodations.
His rental services had even received three reviews, suggesting that Flores could have accommodated paying tenants in the Landa's home.
The Landas are taking Flores to landlord and tenant court to get him evicted, but the court hearing isn't until April.
“Long story short, he’s still there,” Susana said.
The homeowners attempted to enter the property along with an insurance inspector, and Flores called police.
The family has already had five hearings in civil court and complains that the process is continuing to be delayed.
Flores appeared in court without an attorney and filed for bankruptcy on January 9, 2024, preventing litigation from proceeding.
While Flores lives rent-free in the family's dream home, she pays all the bills to keep the house running
During his stay at the Queens property, Flores racked up thousands of dollars in utilities that Joseph and Susana had to pay
While Flores lives rent-free in the family's dream home, she pays all the bills to keep the house running.
Flores racked up thousands of dollars in utility bills that Joseph and Susana had to pay.
Susana said Flores “left the windows open 24 hours” while they paid for heating.
“It’s very crazy, our system is broken,” Susana said. “I never thought we had no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.”
“I feel completely forgotten, unjust and unable to do anything in this legal system,” Joseph said.
Flores' attorney told ABC7, “No comment.”