Current:Home > News'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.
View Date:2024-12-24 03:30:11
A group of squatters have allegedly taken over a house in Los Angeles' Beverly Hills neighborhood and turned it into a "party house," creating a nuisance by disturbing residents in the area.
The listing agent for the property located at Beverly Grove Place, John Woodward IV, told USA TODAY that the alleged squatters moved into the house in late October and have been living there since. Woodward says that he was appointed by the Los Angeles County Criminal Court to sell the property.
Woodward said that someone went up to the property with a locksmith and changed the locks and code of the huge private gate illegally and then leased it out to several other people. The court-appointed broker said that he called the police as soon as he found out. However, the people in the house produced a "fake lease," to which the police said that it was a "civil matter". The Beverly Hills Police Department said that the location does not come under their jurisdiction and falls under the Los Angeles Police Department, so they cannot comment on the matter. Meanwhile, the LAPD did not immediately respond to USA Today's request for information.
'Squatters' throw wild parties
"The cops have probably been up there no less than 50 times," said Woodward. "They're having crack parties and laughing gas parties and orgies and all sorts of (things) going on up there."
Woodward said that the people living in the mansion have also been renting out rooms, advertising the property as "Beverly Hills Lodge". He said some people have even been arrested from the house on drug and nuisance-related charges, but nothing has deterred its occupants from creating havoc night after night.
"They ran out a rage party every night up there," Woodward said. "Everybody's so upset about the situation."
Squatting in California:Los Angeles Airbnb renter leaves property after 570 days, lawsuits: report
Neighbors fed up
Residents in the neighborhood are miserable with the situation and told ABC News 7 that the squatters have been throwing wild parties, some for which they even charge admission. The local media outlet reported that "condoms and drug paraphernalia" littered the area around the house, located on the border of Beverly Hills and Bel Air.
A resident of the area told ABC7 that the party goers arrive in loud cars, motorcycles and Ubers, often around 2 a.m. in the morning, creating noise and blocking the small one-lane roads.
Fran Solomon, who owns the house next door that she's currently renting out, likened the situation to a "roaming pitbull".
"There's a roaming pit bull with children around," Solomon told ABC7. "There are people drunk and stoned, wobbling, walking in and out, and then driving the canyons. Does someone need to be killed before the police will do something?"
Solomon said that the tenants living in her house have had to hire an armed security guard to protect themselves.
Squatting:Police: Squatters in Nashville arrested, say God told them to stay at million-dollar home
Ownership issues led to alleged squatting
Woodward said that the mess surrounding the sprawling Mediterranean-style estate stem from ownership issues.
The house, which is currently on sale for $4.5 million, was previously owned by an orthopedic surgeon, Munir Uwaydah, who fled to Lebanon after he was accused in the murder and death of 21-year-old model Julianna Redding, with whom he was also reportedly in a relationship with. Uwaydah has also been linked to a health insurance fraud scheme and remains at large, according to a 2015 report by the L.A. Times.
The property, built in 1999, has received multiple offers from prospective buyers, according to Woodward, but the matters regarding its ownership and the ongoing squatter situation have prevented a sale from going through.
Woodward says that he has never seen anything like in his 40+ year career as a broker in Los Angeles.
It is not yet clear who owns the property.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (54)
Related
- The 15 quickest pickup trucks MotorTrend has ever tested
- Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas Reach Temporary Agreement Over 2 Kids Amid Lawsuit
- EXPLAINER: What is saltwater intrusion and how is it affecting Louisiana’s drinking water?
- A Molotov cocktail is thrown at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, but there’s no significant damage
- Mike Tyson emerges as heavyweight champ among product pitchmen before Jake Paul fight
- Journalist killed in attack aimed at police in northern Mexico border town
- Supreme Court's interpretation of the word and could affect thousands of prison sentences each year
- A Swiftie's guide to Travis Kelce: What to know about Kansas City Chiefs tight end
- John Robinson, former USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams coach, dies at 89
- Nicolas Kerdiles, former NHL player and onetime fiance of Savannah Chrisley, killed in motorcycle crash at age 29
Ranking
- Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
- Biden tells Pacific islands leaders he hears their warnings about climate change and will act
- Hollywood writers, studios reach tentative deal to end strike
- Artemis II: NASA pilot prepares for a trip around the moon and beyond | 5 Things podcast
- Get $103 Worth of Tatcha Skincare for $43.98 + 70% Off Flash Deals on Elemis, Josie Maran & More
- First Black female NYPD police surgeon sworn in
- Myanmar’s ruling military drops 2 generals suspected of corruption in a government reshuffle
- Video shows California deputy slamming 16-year-old girl to the ground outside football game
Recommendation
-
New Pentagon report on UFOs includes hundreds of new incidents but no evidence of aliens
-
Horoscopes Today, September 24, 2023
-
The premiere of 'The Golden Bachelor' is almost here. How to watch Gerry Turner find love.
-
UN rights experts decry war crimes by Russia in Ukraine and look into genocide allegations
-
Louisiana mom arrested for making false kidnapping report after 'disagreement' with son
-
Opponents of a controversial Tokyo park redevelopment file a petition urging government to step in
-
Ford pausing construction of Michigan battery plant amid contract talks with auto workers union
-
What to know about Elijah McClain’s death and the criminal trial of two officers