A woman from Cook County, Illinois, named Danielle Cruz was planning to sell her family’s house located in the neighborhood of Chatham. Her husband renovated the place entirely and they arranged for a handyman to do some tiny repairs. One day, however, the handyman called Danielle and told her that the house wasn’t vacant, someone was living there!
At first, they thought he was joking, but they soon learned that a woman moved into their home with all her belongings. They called the police and went to the house they were planning to sell in order to have the woman removed from their property. But then, another shock followed. The officers said they could do nothing about the squatter because she claimed she had signed a month-to-month lease with the owner, which of course wasn’t true.
They stated that they were unable to prove she was trespassing. “We have to go to court and go through the eviction process,” a distraught Danielle explained. Although Danielle denied ever meeting the woman who occupied her home, police said the woman had a lease document, which turned the case into a civil matter that could only be resolved in eviction court.
The problem is that such cases are handled for six, twelve, or even eighteen months, leaving Danielle and her husband powerless to intervene. “I certainly feel violated.” “I own this house, and it feels like if anyone can just break in and take over, that’s a scary feeling,” Danielle explained. She even stated that she attempted to contact the squatter in order to work out a solution, but the woman refused.
“You see, we’re attempting to live the American dream. They say own property, but we’re just trying to make ends meet for our family. Then something like this happens, and it almost makes you never want to own anything again. It isn’t worth it.” Danielle’s neighbors stood by her side, hoping that her problems would be resolved soon. “Well, it’s disgusting,” one of the neighbors said.
It’s stealing, and it’s wrong.” Quintara Smith, another neighbor, added, “No one wants to come back, and someone is living in a property.” It’s terrifying. That could happen to anyone.” According to Chicago real estate attorney Mo Dadkhah, such cases are not uncommon in Cook County. More information can be found in the video below.