Current:Home > My'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains. -BeyondWealth Learning
'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.
View
Date:2025-04-16 14:37:11
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! (7882)
Related
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Boxer Ryan Garcia gets vandalism charge dismissed and lecture from judge
- Muggers ripped watch off Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler’s arm, police say
- The sports capital of the world? How sports boosted Las Vegas' growth
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Georgia university leaders ask NCAA to ban transgender women from sports
- Las Vegas police ask public for info in 'suspicious' death of woman found dead in luggage
- Allyson Felix launches women-focused sports management firm
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Best October Prime Day 2024 Athleisure & Activewear Deals – That Are Also Super Cute & Up to 81% Off
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- All NHL teams have captain for first time since 2010-11: Who wears the 'C' in 2024-25?
- Courts could see a wave of election lawsuits, but experts say the bar to change the outcome is high
- Angel Dreamer Wealth Society: Empowering the Future, Together with Angel Dreamer
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- Grazer beats the behemoth that killed her cub to win Alaska’s Fat Bear Contest
- Grazer beats the behemoth that killed her cub to win Alaska’s Fat Bear Contest
- These Amazon Prime Day Sweaters Are Cute, Fall-Ready & Start at $19
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Teen Mom’s Ryan Edwards and Girlfriend Amanda Conner Expecting First Baby Together
Love Island USA’s Hannah Smith Arrested and Charged With Making Terroristic Threats
Judge declines bid by New Hampshire parents to protest transgender players at school soccer games
Bodycam footage shows high
The most popular 2024 Halloween costumes for adults, kids and pets, according to Google
Tennessee nurse and his dog die trying to save man from Hurricane Helene floods
As FEMA prepares for Hurricane Milton, it battles rumors surrounding Helene recovery