Inside the luxe $2M Queens home with water views where a squatter is living it up
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.
Keep up with The Post's coverage of a Queens family's fight to regain their $2 million dream home from squatter Brett Flores
- How Queens squatter Brett Fisher-Flores cozied up to $2M home’s ailing former owner — and never left: source
- Why can’t squatters like Brett Flores get evicted, and how did it get to this point
- Squatter who refuses to leave $2M NYC home is a model who was once arrested for allegedly assaulting wife
- Queens couple buys $2M dream home to care for disabled son, only to find squatter living inside
- NYC squatter who refuses to leave $2M mansion is ‘wonderful’ man who cares for infant son on ventilator: pal
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.
What you need to know about squatters in New York:
What are squatter’s rights in New York?
Squatters in New York state can claim a legal right to remain on a property without the owner’s permission after 10 years of living there. However, in New York City, a person only needs to be on the property for 30 days to claim squatter’s rights.
Why is it so hard to get rid of a squatter?
Squatters are allowed a wide range of rights once they have established legal occupancy, making it difficult to evict them.
How does someone become a squatter?
Some of the scenarios in which a person becomes a squatter include: a tenant refusing to pay rent, a relative of a former owner refusing to leave the property or even a stranger who entered the property and never left.
According to Manhattan-based law firm Nadel & Ciarlo, squatters must have a reasonable basis for claiming the property belongs to them and must treat the home as if they were an owner — such as doing yard work or making repairs.
How can a property owner get rid of a squatter?
A property owner must first send a 10-day eviction notice and then file a court complaint if the order is ignored. If approved by a judge, the owner can get a summons and have a sheriff evict the squatter.
Why does the law provide squatters with rights?
The law was designed to help prevent long-term tenants from getting evicted. New York City’s law was partially made in response to vacant and abandoned buildings that were becoming a blight on the city.
How can property owners protect themselves from squatters?
Owners should avoid keeping any properties vacant for an extended period of time. They should also make sure the building is secure, has adequate lighting and has surveillance cameras installed.
If a squatter does appear, owners should notify the police quickly before squatter’s rights are established.
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.
