Elizabeth Hirschhorn has moved out of the Airbnb property in LA’s posh Brentwood neighborhood that she had been squatting in for 570 nights. At this point it is not clear why, but the homeowner has already changed locks and is celebrating.
Airbnb Squatter Moved Out Of Home, But May Not Be Gone Yet…
I’ve outlined all the details about Hirschhorn her history of fraud, and her crusade to remain rent-free in an Airbnb property here.
> Read More: Harvard-Educated Scammer Demands $100,000 To Leave Airbnb Guest House She Is Squatting In
A skilled fraudster, Hirschhorn tricked the homeowner into extending her Airbnb stay in a manner in which she and her attorney later claimed triggered LA’s rent control ordinance, which importantly established tenancy rights for her and made it impossible to evict her. She then withheld payment over a problem she purportedly created to live rent free for 570 days.
But after the Los Angeles Times did a story on this issue, the issue went viral. Paparazzi camped out in front of the property and followed Hirschhorn wherever she went. Drones relentlessly hovered overhead. She was constantly confronted by a microphone and asked to defend her action, which she was unable to do.
Last Friday, though, a moving van unexpectedly showed up. Sascha Jovanovic, the homeowner, did not know what to think. Was she moving out or was it a home invasion robbery? He called the cops, who came to the scene and supervised the move out (as an aside, nice to have such police services in rich neighborhoods of LA…maybe they should focus on the Hotel Figueroa).
Within an hour after the movers let, a locksmith was on-site to change the locks.
Jovanovic told the Los Angeles Times:
“I’m a little overwhelmed, but I finally have my home back. I had such a peaceful weekend once she left.”
Not so fast.
Drama May Not Be Over Yet…
Jovanovic’s lawyer emailed Hirschhorn’s lawyer and received the response below, suggesting that the battle may not be over yet:
“Ms. Hirschhorn had discussed with me concern over the constant harassment and surveillance, and also the desire to get the things repaired that needed to be repaired. Subject to my discussions with Ms. Hirschhorn, please be advised that you have no authority to change the locks or to assume abandonment of the unit. Further, you have violated the law by entering without permission and changing the locks.”
Any legal experts want to weigh in on what the strategy is now? Monetary damages for the changing the locks? A way to get out of the parallel unpaid rent lawsuit?
Jovanovic’s lawyer will continue to seek the $58,000 in unpaid rent in a separate legal action.
What Can We Learn From This
Honestly, stories like this will make me think twice before ever renting out my guest house. I am an attorney and I hope that I will be smart about if I ever do go down that path, but it just seems to me that it is not worth the stress.
Hirschhorn reasoned she did not have pay rent since Jovanovic never obtained an occupancy license for the guesthouse. That’s such contorted logic. If there was no occupancy license for the guesthouse, then no one should have been allowed to occupy it…
CONCLUSION
A serial troublemaker named Elizabeth Hirschhorn has moved out of the Brentwood house she had squatted in for 570 days. Perhaps it was the media attention that pushed her out and Jovanovic can thank the UK Daily Mail for its role in helping him get his house back.
Jovanovic will now turn the space into a recreation room…and never rent it out again.
image: Google
As long as people keep voting Democrat, this will continue.
How many examples do we need to understand what the common link is?
We live in a complicated society. Tenancy is filled with complicated strictures for the protection of the barely haves.
Before renting you house, make sure you get the advice of an attorney. Don’t let the laws whipsaw you. AbnB cares not.
Matthew, wasn’t there an issue with the structure itself not being properly permitted? If so, was that an issue with building permits, and/or rental permits? I also read the LA Times article, and the permits was not really clear. Just curious… And beware, she might already be eyeing a nice cottage in rebuild somewhere in LA.
I think it had to do with a contractor not securing permits for bathroom work or adding a shower or something like that
Funny she has did this a few times already to other people, this is not her first time lol
I don’t know whether AirBnB or legislation protecting tenants is a bigger reason for housing shortages. It far from being just an American issue.
Agree. The problem is out of control in Palm Springs.
I have rental houses and an STR in a purple state. Never received late rent or people overstaying, even through COVID. One reason could be plain good luck. Another reason could be excellent relationships with guests & tenants. But a 3rd reason could be landlord friendly laws.
I have a basement rental apt and I, too, have had good luck with finding good people. But part of their being good is that I’ve got a good contract and they’re tied to a year lease. Airbnb is sketchy in that someone isn’t tied to a lengthy obligation. I like the year timeframe on my leases, I’ve thought about offering 6 month periods but I just don’t like the hassle that shorter term rentals bring.
This lady is a mess, unless police come with a court order to let her back in this guy needs to not even open a door. And if she’s blaming the media coverage on the landlord, how does that even work?
UNBELIEVABLE. Only in America. But I would never have the guts to try this.
Someone should have hired an L.A. gang to come around at night and do something; paint her windows…
This “thing” belongs in prison for 507 days