In a perplexing turn of events, a pair of alleged squatters in Queens have taken legal action against the rightful owners of a duplex they unlawfully occupied, escalating the ongoing squatter saga in the borough. The accused squatters, Lance Hunt Sr. and Rondie L. Francis, have filed a lawsuit against Juliya Fulman, the owner of the targeted property, after refusing to vacate the $930,000 home.

The situation has left Fulman frustrated and burdened with over $4,000 in legal bills as she fights to regain possession of her property. "These people literally broke into my house. It's not fair to us as homeowners that we are not protected by the city," expressed Fulman, reflecting the growing sentiment among property owners who find themselves dealing with squatters exploiting New York City's lenient laws.

Under New York City's permissive laws, squatters only need to occupy a property for 30 days to gain a range of legal protections that make eviction difficult for the rightful owners. This loophole has given rise to opportunistic individuals taking advantage of the system, leaving property owners feeling helpless.

Fulman's case is not an isolated incident. Adele Andaloro, another Queens homeowner, was arrested recently for changing locks on her $1 million house in an attempt to remove squatters. The situation has raised concerns among property owners about the lack of protection and the increasing abuse of these laws.

For Fulman and her husband Denis Kurlyand, the nightmare began when their real-estate broker, Ejona Bardhi, discovered unauthorized lock changes at their Lakeside Avenue investment property. Bardhi alerted the authorities and encountered intimidation from several individuals associated with the alleged squatters when she returned to the property.

Police arrived on the scene and found that Hunt Sr. and Francis had been living in the property since January but failed to provide evidence supporting their claim. The squatters were escorted out of the premises, and the homeowners were able to change the locks. Upon reentering their once-renovated home, they discovered extensive damages caused by the unlawful occupants.

However, the couple's relief was short-lived when Bardhi was served with court documents, notifying her that the squatters were suing her, the homeowners, and the real-estate company involved. An emergency lockout hearing was held on March 22, during which Kurlyand argued that the squatters had perpetrated a fraud, presenting forged documents to support their claim.

Despite presenting ownership documents and videos showing the property's vacancy, the homeowners still face an uncertain outcome. The next court date is scheduled for April 5, and until then, the couple's lawyer has advised against letting the prospective tenants move in.

The situation highlights the challenges faced by property owners dealing with squatters and the frustration they experience while navigating the legal process. With the imbalance in favor of squatters under current laws, homeowners like Fulman and Kurlyand worry that justice may not prevail.

As they eagerly await the court's decision, Kurlyand expressed his concerns about the ultimate outcome, emphasizing the need for safety precautions and stronger laws to protect property owners. The ongoing squatter saga in Queens continues to expose the flaws in the system, leaving homeowners caught in a frustrating battle to reclaim their own properties.