The Hostile Squatter

(Original news article, here.)

In Chicago, Darthula Young was thrust into a living nightmare after discovering her late mother’s home was taken over by a hostile squatter, Takito Murray.

It began with a chilling call from a neighbor, who reported hearing gunfire from what should have been an empty house. When Young arrived, she found the locks changed, a bullet hole through a front window, and Murray claiming he had a right to live there. Authorities, unable to forcibly remove him without lengthy court proceedings, left Young trapped in a terrifying legal limbo, watching helplessly as Murray entrenched himself further.

Months passed, and every visit to the property only amplified Young’s dread. Murray taunted her, repeatedly saying he’d leave “soon,” while racking up utilities in her name and taking over the space. Young's hope for reclaiming her family home faded with each court delay, and the property she once cherished became a site of fear—a place haunted by an unwelcome occupant who seemed impossible to evict. Owners beware & be present at your vacant properties!

The Renovation Invader

(Original news story, here.)

Danielle Cruz’s story is another chilling cautionary tale for landlords. After investing time and money into renovating her Chatham property, Cruz was horrified to discover a stranger had not only moved in but claimed it as their own under a suspicious lease agreement.

The shocking part? When Cruz called the police, they told her they couldn’t help—this “lease”, which was fake, made it a civil issue, essentially binding her to a lengthy and expensive eviction process. Locked out of her own property, Cruz found herself paying utilities while a stranger settled in, comfortable, with her home essentially hijacked.

Local eviction courts, already backed up, could drag the process out for up to 6-12 months, with no guarantee of a swift resolution. Cruz’s experience is becoming disturbingly common, revealing how a home can be stolen with little more than a piece of paper and exploiting legal loopholes meant to protect tenants but misused by fraudsters. Hindsight is 20/20, but it may have been a good idea to invest in a self-setup temporary alarm system.

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When you face a “squatter” situation, what can you do when the police are unable to help?

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1. Cash for keys - The landlord would offer the squatter a sum of money in exchange for keys. But, never have over cash until the keys and your property are returned safely. Download our 'Cash for Keys' form, here.
2. Use a Squatter Termination Notice: Serve an immediate demand squatter notice. Make sure you serve the person. You can’t just tape to the door. And, expect several months to complete the eviction process. Download our 'Immediate Demand Notice,' here.