Posted on 02/16/2015 1:31:21 PM PST by dennisw
Squatters have returned to New York City.
Still, managers for the Jamaica Avenue properties — which have been in foreclosure proceedings since 2009 — haven’t had an easy time getting the squatters out.
Zara Realty, tasked with securing the empty buildings for the court-appointed receiver, removed the front door of 176-16 Jamaica Ave., where squatters are living.
One third-floor resident, Otalia Johns, filed a harassment lawsuit against Zara this month in Queens Housing Court. On Feb. 10, a judge ordered the company to replace the door.
Johns, 24, lives in the apartment with her 1-year-old daughter and three other residents, who helped paint the furnished squat. They heat the apartment by boiling water on a hot plate. There is no gas, refrigerator or working stove.
Tenants don’t pay for electricity or other utilities — and don’t know who does. A Zara manager, who visited the site Wednesday, told The Post that Zephyrin “jumped wires” to get electricity.
One, Peter Zephyrin, considers himself a modern-day Robin Hood for taking over an unfinished and boarded-up complex on Jamaica Avenue in Queens.
Zephyrin, 36, installed electricity and a water heater at the 10 adjoined three-story buildings and is collecting rent from two sets of tenants, who moved into the three-bedroom, two-bath pads in December. He charges $250 a week per resident.
Zephyrin is trying to seize the buildings through “adverse possession” statutes, which permit an enterprising homesteader to acquire abandoned property after occupying it for 10 years, so long as the ownership is not contested.
Zephyrin has rented out a number of apartments in this boarded-up complex in Queens.Photo: J.C.Rice
Still, managers for the Jamaica Avenue properties — which have been in foreclosure proceedings since 2009 — haven’t had an easy time getting the squatters out.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
New York ranks third among states for the highest number of “zombie foreclosures,” or homes that are abandoned by owners and banks and stuck in foreclosure limbo. Zombie foreclosures jumped 54 percent — to 16,777 — from January 2014 to last month, according to a recent RealtyTrac report.
Squatters should also take over outstanding debt and back taxes
Unintended consequences of ‘Rent Control laws’?..........................
The mob would have gotten them out and made out pretty well from the fire insurance.
Dinkins Redux!
Squatters should be physically removed if they refuse to leave.
What the hell is the matter with these judges?
.
They're touchy-feely, warm and fuzzy, birkenstock-wearing, obama-voting, liberal assholes, for one thing.
Squatters should be moved into the judges homes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.