A New York homeowner was arrested for changing the locks after finding a group of squatters in a $1 million home she inherited.

In Queens, New York, a homeowner’s confrontation with unexpected squatters in her late father’s home led to a dramatic legal tangle that highlights the complex issue of squatters’ rights in the city.

Adele Andaloro, 47, inherited a property worth $1 million after the death of her parents. She discovered strangers living there during a visit to prepare the house for sale. When she changed the locks to secure the property, one of the occupants called the police, resulting in her brief arrest. Although she is not facing charges, the ordeal shows the difficulties homeowners and authorities face with squatters in New York.

According to the Daily Mail, Andaloro expressed concern about the effectiveness of local laws, stating: “I’m very afraid that these people will get away with it and rob my house.”

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Neighbors have reported suspicious activity since the occupants moved in.

“We all know what they’re doing, so we’re a little angry about it,” Kosta, a 24-year-old college student who lives next door, told the news outlet.

Squatters’ rights in New York provide a legal framework that can make eviction difficult. After 30 days of occupation in New York City, squatters can claim legal rights to a property, complicating efforts to remove them. This situation has left Andaloro and its neighbors frustrated as they navigate the legal and social implications of the squatters’ claims.

The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the need for clearer regulations and more support for homeowners facing similar situations.

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This article A New York homeowner was arrested for changing the locks after finding a group of squatters in a $1 million home he inherited originally appeared on Benzinga.com