A FAMILY of three is nearing homelessness after squatters took over their home while they were out of town. The family has spent a significant amount of money during the months they’ve been displaced from their home....CONTINUE READING
The home – located in Patchogue, New York, about 64 miles east of New York City – is owned by Kimberly Copenhaver’s 70-year-old mother.
Copenhaver’s mother has owned the three-bedroom home for 20 years.
But for the last five months, Copenhaver, her mother, and her 13-year-old son have been bouncing between hotels and other shared spaces as squatters have taken over their home, the family told News 12 Long Island.
The squatters moved in when the trio left town for a few months.
“In February, I contacted my best friend who was watching my house to let him know we were coming home sometime, probably in the summer,” Copenhaver told News 12 Long Island.
“My mother came home in the end of June, and she went to the house to see it and tried to get in and there were people there.”
Copenhaver continued, telling the outlet that the friend watching the home began illegally renting it out.
But because of state laws, by the time the family came home, they couldn’t evict the squatters.
“Under New York state law, if a person is in the home for 30 days, they are considered a tenant with rights, and you as the homeowner cannot take action on your own,” attorney Ann-Margaret Carrozza told News 12 Long Island.
“You cannot turn off the utilities. You cannot get rid of their possessions.
“You would have to go through a court eviction process and anyone who’s been through that process knows that it can take about a year.”
Copenhaver and her mother moved to evict the squatters through the courts.
However, once they received a start date for the proceedings, the court was adjourned for two weeks.
“We feel completely helpless,” Copenhaver said.
