Current:Home > My'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains. -PrestigeTrade
'Squatters' turn Beverly Hills mansion into party hub. But how? The listing agent explains.
View
Date:2025-04-27 17:09:23
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! (41787)
Related
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- In bad news for true loves, inflation is hitting the 12 Days of Christmas
- Transcript: Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Markarova on Face the Nation, July 9, 2023
- North Korea has hacked $1.2 billion in crypto and other assets for its economy
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Tighten, Smooth, and Firm Skin With a 70% Off Deal on the Peter Thomas Roth Instant Eye Tightener
- High School Graduation Gift Guide: Score an A+ With Jewelry, College Basics, Travel Needs & More
- The blizzard is just one reason behind the operational meltdown at Southwest Airlines
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- EPA Targets Potent Greenhouse Gases, Bringing US Into Compliance With the Kigali Amendment
Ranking
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Facebook parent Meta will pay $725M to settle a privacy suit over Cambridge Analytica
- Video: Regardless of Results, Kentucky’s Primary Shows Environmental Justice is an Issue for Voters
- 6 killed in small plane crash in Southern California
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Video: Access to Nature and Outdoor Recreation are Critical, Underappreciated Environmental Justice Issues
- Tennessee ban on transgender care for minors can be enforced, court says
- Detlev Helmig Was Frugal With Tax Dollars. Then CU Fired Him for Misusing Funds.
Recommendation
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Interest rates up, but not on your savings account
The Real Story Behind Khloe Kardashian and Michele Morrone’s Fashion Show Date
Video: Regardless of Results, Kentucky’s Primary Shows Environmental Justice is an Issue for Voters
Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
Besieged by Protesters Demanding Racial Justice, Trump Signs Order Waiving Environmental Safeguards
Renewable Energy’s Booming, But Still Falling Far Short of Climate Goals
China’s Industrial Heartland Fears Impact of Tougher Emissions Policies