NYC millionaire couple are left horrified after buying their dream $2M mansion for them and their Down Syndrome son only to find a SQUATTER who claims he’s the caretaker, tries to rent out rooms for $50 per night and has refused to leave for FOUR MONTHS

A New York City couple bought their dream home for $2 million to retire with their disabled son, but discover a “nightmare” squatter who refuses to leave.

Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, bought the perfect mansion in Douglaston, Queens, where they planned to retire and care for their son Alex, who has Down syndrome.

The multi-million dollar property is located next to relatives and in a neighborhood where the Landa family has spent their entire lives.

“I just want to know that I can die tomorrow and that he is next to his brother,” Susana said of her disabled son.

Susana and Joseph’s dreams were crushed when, after purchasing the house in October, they discovered that the house had been claimed by a squatter identified as Brett Flores.

“It’s become a nightmare, a total nightmare,” Joseph Landa said ABC7.

Four months after their big purchase, the Landa family still can’t actually move into their dream home as they continue to face obstacles in their attempts to kick the intruder out.

“I wake up and go to sleep thinking about the same thing: When is this guy going to come out?” Susana, mother of three, said.

Flores claims he has every right to live on the property after being hired as a “caretaker” for the previous owner.

Flores described in his own words in court documents why he “deserved” to live in the property.

‘We couldn’t believe it, we couldn’t believe it,” Susana said.

Court documents show that Flores, 32, was indeed hired by the former homeowner, who was an older man.

The man died in January 2023, but Flores claims he has a ‘license’ to stay in the home of the deceased former owner.

As a “caregiver,” Flores was paid $3,000 a week to care for the previous homeowner.

Unfortunately for the Landa family, squatters who have camped in a building for more than thirty days have rights in New York City.

After 30 days of continuous occupancy, squatters can file adverse possession claims.

“If you don’t have a lease and you don’t pay rent, what are you right?” said the indignant homeowner Joseph.

Not only has Flores taken over the Landa family’s soon-to-be home, they also claim the squatter advertised the house online to rent rooms to other people.

In the online classifieds, Flores advertised “The Prince Room” for $50 a night for men, women, couples, families or students looking for a place to stay.

In fact, his rental services had generated three reviews, indicating that Flores had been able to host paying tenants in the Landa’s home.

The Landas take Flores to court between landlord and tenant in an attempt to get him evicted, but the coThe hearing will not take place until April.

“Long story short, he’s still there,” Susana said.

The homeowners, along with an insurance inspector, tried to enter the property and Flores called the police.

The family has already had five hearings in the civil court and complains that the trial continues to be postponed.

Flores appeared in court without a lawyer and filed for bankruptcy on January 9, 2024, preventing any legal proceedings from continuing.

While Flores lives rent-free in the family’s dream home, they pay all the bills to keep the house running.

Flores has racked up thousands of dollars in utilities, which Joseph and Susana have had to pay.

Susana said Flores “left the windows open 24 hours a day” while they paid the heating bills.

“It’s very strange, our system is broken,” Susana said. “I could never imagine that we have no rights, no rights at all, nothing, zero.”

“I feel completely forgotten in this justice system, unfair and unable to do anything,” Joseph said.

Flores’ attorney told ABC7 “no comment.”