A squatter who’s now taking advantage of a couple’s $2 million dream home where they hoped to reside in with their disabled son is living the luxe life — and has turned it into his personal haven, The Post has learned.
Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, envisioned a tranquil retirement in this recently acquired three-bedroom sanctuary in Queens, New York, which they purchased for $2 million.
Little did they know, their Shore Road property would become a battleground against the squatter Brett Flores, leaving the legal owners in agony.
Images obtained by The Post unveil the home’s interior, showcasing charming bay windows, hardwood floors, skylights and vaulted ceilings. What’s more, the home also has waterfront views of Little Neck Bay.
Spanning more than 3,100 square feet, the property boasts a grand foyer, three fireplaces and a large renovated kitchen.
For its part, the primary suite features an ensuite bathroom featuring a soaking tub and a rain shower. Outdoor amenities include an expansive patio and a private roof deck.
There seemed to be lots to look forward to. But the family’s jubilation spiraled into despair as Flores usurped their home — and appears to be living it up on the grounds.
A handful of months after signing the deed for the residence, the Landas remain locked out.
For the Landas, this home wasn’t just a sanctuary. It was a necessity for their son, Alex, who has Down syndrome and needs special care.
The home’s proximity to relatives ensured peace of mind, not to mention a future in which Alex would be safe near family.
“I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and he’s next to his brother,” Susana told ABC 7.
“It has become a nightmare, a total nightmare,” Joseph added.
Court documents show that Flores, 32, once served as caretaker for the former homeowner, earning a tidy $3,000 per week until that owner’s death in January 2023.
Now, Flores says he possesses a “license” from the previous owner to occupy the residence.
“We couldn’t believe it, we could not believe it,” Susana told the outlet.
Despite lacking any formal lease agreement or rental arrangement, Flores has entrenched himself in the property, exploiting New York’s squatters’ rights law, which protects occupants who have lawfully resided in a dwelling for 30 consecutive days or longer.
Efforts by the Landas to reclaim their sanctuary have hit a wall, with Flores proving adept at evading eviction. Even police intervention failed.
The homeowners gave Flores a 10-day notice to leave and then tried to enter the property alongside an insurance inspector, but he called the cops on them.
“If you have no lease and you’re not paying rent, what is your right?” said Joseph.
Flores has also advertised rooms for rent within the property.
Under the moniker “The Prince Room,” Flores peddles accommodations for $50 per night, compounding the couple’s financial woes as they foot the bill for utilities and upkeep.
Susana also detailed Flores’s disregard for their property, from leaving windows open round-the-clock, incurring exorbitant heating bills.
“It’s very crazy, our system is broken,” Susana said. “I never would have imagined we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.”
Most recently, Flores filed for bankruptcy, which allowed him to stay in the home.
“When a residential tenant files a bankruptcy petition, an automatic stay prevents the landlord from bringing or continuing a case to obtain possession and from enforcing a judgment obtained before the commencement of the bankruptcy case,” according to New York City law.
“It makes me feel completely forgotten in this legal system, unfair and not able to do anything,” Joseph said.
A court hearing is set for April.