Staff Reports
In a bizarre case that highlights the absurdity of the legal system, a New York homeowner found himself in a battle with squatters who had more rights than he did. Jean de Segonzac, a television director and screenwriter, had purchased a home in Bellport, New York as a perfect dwelling for his daughter who uses a wheelchair. However, before the family could move in, they had to deal with some structural issues that required permits for renovation. De Segonzac had all the utilities turned off while he waited for the bureaucracy to sort itself out. Little did he know, this would be the beginning of a nightmarish situation.
Homeowner Gets Strange Water Bill, Soon Realizes His Nightmare Is Just Beginning via @WestJournalism https://t.co/QRhqmCTPDa
— loraleid (@LaurieDoucette7) January 28, 2024
Three weeks later, de Segonzac received a bill from the water company, indicating that the water had not been turned off as he had requested. Confused, he called the utility company to inquire and was informed that they couldn’t cut off the water because someone was living in the house. Shocked and thinking it must be a mistake, de Segonzac went to the house to investigate, only to find a man opening the door and presenting him with an official-looking lease. As it turned out, four adults, two children, and a dog had made themselves at home in de Segonzac’s house, complete with a big-screen TV, furniture, and even a giant aquarium.
De Segonzac immediately called the police, hoping they could rectify the situation. However, he was devastated to learn that the police couldn’t evict the squatters without a court order. What’s more, the law in New York actually grants squatters more rights if they have been on the property for more than 30 days. They are considered tenants and have various protections, such as the ability to undertake home improvements, making it even harder for homeowners to regain control of their property. De Segonzac was left feeling helpless and frustrated by a legal system that seemed to favor the squatters over him.
Fortunately, reason eventually prevailed in de Segonzac’s case. Matthew Petheram, the architect involved in the renovation of the house, alerted city officials about the dilapidated state of the property, leading to inspectors finding black mold in the basement. Black mold is a health hazard, and without a certificate of occupancy, the property was condemned. The squatters even attempted to remove the “Condemned” signs, but to no avail. They were finally forced to move, and de Segonzac decided to gut the home to prevent any future squatters from taking over. The house was eventually destroyed, but at least de Segonzac could finally put the nightmare behind him.
This story serves as a stark reminder that even in a state where unjust laws are common, reason will eventually prevail. It’s a testament to the determination and perseverance of homeowners like de Segonzac, who refuse to let themselves be trampled over by an unjust legal system. The battle may have been long and arduous, but ultimately, the squatters were removed, and justice prevailed. Hopefully, stories like this will serve as a wake-up call for lawmakers to reassess and revise these absurd laws that offer more protection to squatters than to homeowners.
