Forced to live with squatter in my Detroit Boston-Edison house?

**Zacha341** · October-10-12, 05:45 AM

What's up wid this? Who goes along with such a thing...? Seems strange. Dinner time must be a push around there especially after the owner has spoken out re. what she considers as the 'entitlement' attitude of her, eh' umm guest?

More squatter stories have been in the news. This one suggests a new form of communal living? Per the article the owner had left the property unoccupied for some time... see vid which shows the home, etc.

Forced to live alongside squatter in my Detroit house, woman says

From article:

The alleged squatter's name is documented all over the house as Missionary-Tracey Elaine Blair, a write-in candidate for president.

We asked Peterson whether she feels safe.

"I don't know what the capabilities are. We're afraid of her mindset of entitlement."

A squatter doesn't have a legal right to the property, but under the law the homeowner cannot remove a squatter by force. In most cases, the homeowner has to file a civil action in court, prove it's their property and evict the squatter. That is what Peterson is trying to do.

"She thinks that this is a program in Detroit to take people's homes and fix them up and then she gets to keep them," Peterson said.

Since Peterson spent all of her money on the house, she said she can't afford to go anywhere else, and until she can legally kick the woman out, they are forced to live under the same roof.

"I thought if the house is not safe, how can I come here with my child? There's an issue with that. But should I lose my house to a squatter because I don't have rights to my property or should I fight to get it back," said Peterson..."

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/19...use-woman-says

**mikefmich** · October-10-12, 06:04 AM

Screw the squatter/civil definition, why wouldn't an owner use criminal trespass to get them out?

**Detwa** · October-10-12, 06:07 AM

This story really disturbs me, that woman, the owner, is sleeping in there with her baby! I don't know if I would go that far to prove a point! Very scary! That squatter is a freaking nut! I don't care what the law says, its time for Heidi to call up some big buff family members and have them all fill up that house and keep the squatter out!

**nativegirl** · October-10-12, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Detwa

This story really disturbs me, that woman, the owner, is sleeping in there with her baby! I don't know if I would go that far to prove a point! Very scary! That squatter is a freaking nut! I don't care what the law says, its time for Heidi to call up some big buff family members and have them all fill up that house and keep the squatter out!

Detwa, I was thinking the same thing: get some real rough necks,, every family has a few, to get ole girl out of there. Why can't Heidi have the locks changed like Ms. Missionary did?

**Bham1982** · October-10-12, 07:26 AM

Why would someone buy a home in Boston Edison, and then just leave it for a year, unwatched?

I wouldn't leave a home in that area unwatched for the weekend. A year is just crazy, and you would expect something bad to happen in that timespan.

I mean, she paid 23k for what is probably a mini-mansion. Why does she think it's so cheap?

**cla1945** · October-10-12, 07:34 AM

Isn't that a form of breaking and entering? Something isn't right with this case.

**Bham1982** · October-10-12, 07:46 AM

Let's say this squatter never stayed in the house. Wouldn't the owner arguably be worse off?

What would happen to an unoccupied, unwatched home in this neighborhood in the course of a year? At the least, it would be stripped clean.

**corktownyuppie** · October-10-12, 07:47 AM

Another example of how due process is killing the city. I'm all for democracy...but when this is the byproduct, I think the pendulum as swung too far to other side.

**Detwa** · October-10-12, 07:56 AM

A comment in the news article said that the owner seemed to have a sort of accent, perhaps she was from another country during the purchase? I also wonder why the neighbors didn't alert her but she must not have even met them, probably just bought it, looked at it, and then left. How unfortunate either way. I just hope she's safe in there because that "missionary" seems cuckoo.

**Det_ard** · October-10-12, 08:36 AM

Not uncommon, here and around the country. Squatters have rights, more than what they ought IMO, but a "professional" squatter can stay in your house for months while they work the legal system and produce false documents.

There have been advocates of this on this board before.

**poobert** · October-10-12, 09:13 AM

A lot of the recent upswing in squatter activity is due to Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and the monster that is Maureen Taylor. They cook up some phoney, notarized documents and convince the squatters they have rights to the property. They harken back to an old ordinance, Repair-to-Own, which is on the books, but they don't actually go through the proper legal channels to execute it.

They put families in houses without plumbing, water, heat, or electricity because their idea is that it is better than nothing. In each instance I am intimately familiar with, the properties were all privately-owned by everyone from actual mortgage-holders who owned the property, to real estate agents listing them, or you name it - all privately owned. In each case the squatter behaved, well, like a squatter - threatening neighbors, throwing sewage out the window, allowing the property to rapidly deteriorate, all with the assurance that they own the property.

I sympathize that so many people are without a home but this clearly isn't the solution. Of course the decent homeowners nearby [[the ones who, you know, use toilets) want nothing more than to jump ship, further destroying the neighborhood.

Again, all this is with the blessing and fierce advocation of Maureen Taylor and the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization. Rather than find real solutions they put families in dangerous situations. The squatters inevitably end up thrown out through the [[long) eviction process. I'm virtually certain that this woman in the video is speaking of the same "program"

Squatters Rights are largely a myth. In Michigan you need to occupy a property for 15 years to obtain what is called Adverse Possession. They're just tough to get out because you need to prove they're not supposed to be there [[none of them are), which can be tough when they have official looking documents.

I realize many people need help but if they invested half as much energy in productive activities as they did with phony documents, breaking into houses and changing locks, and fraud then I am sure solutions could be found.

**Detroitdave** · October-10-12, 09:43 AM

This is not a answer, this is dangerous and who wants to live in a neighborhood with squatters ?
I don't like empty house , but allowing squatter to just move into any open house is not the answer.
they don't have water, electric and heat ? who knows what they are going to do for electric and heat? this is simply a too dangerous .
The city should not allow this they should address the real problems , why not open the old brewsters and allow them to stay in a safe area where they can live decently and find help , allowing them to just move into stable neighborhoods further drives people away from the city .
Not all these people are bad , but in my opinion this is not the answer.
Allowing this sends a signal to other squatter" Detroit is open for business !"
you can just go move into ANY empty house, this laissez faire approach is one reason the city looks the way it does now .
This send the wrong message

**swingline** · October-10-12, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by poobert

The squatters inevitably end up thrown out through the [[long) eviction process.

The civil eviction process in Michigan is obviously not an ideal solution for an owner under these circumstances. But it is not a long process compared to other judicial matters. Properly handled by a competent attorney, the process would take about six weeks [[even in 36th District Court).

**oladub** · October-10-12, 09:47 AM

Here is a similar case in Colorado in which the squatters hired a lawyer. The owners had gotten behind in their mortgage payments and had to move away for eight months to get work. When they came back, squatters had occupied their house. The squatters filed for bankruptcy themselves and that action froze any attempts at moving them out, Meanwhile, the owners are living in a basement elsewhere while the squatters are enjoying the use of their home.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/color...4#.UHWI-7QjV8s

**Danny** · October-10-12, 10:09 AM

Squatters' rights is now an United Nation international law after the Allen Greenspan Real Estate Depression of 2008. No law by U.S. Congress, or any foreign nation, state legislatures, city councils, county governments, alderman boards, township or village councils can make into a constitutional amendment prohibiting squatters from living in your property. No police or state trooper or any armed forces can evict them out. They are unwanted pests that are very hard to get rid of. [[like bedbugs!)

However there are some ways to evict squatters:

1. The homeowner MUST apply an eviction notice by the any court of law in that area. This process might take up to 30 to 90 days [[eventually)! You might a lawyer for your case.

2. Call your local bail bond agency. They will come out to your property to check on the squatters' conditions. If they squatter[[s) possess any illegal activity or destruction of property, they must be evicted immediately or face either a citizens' or law enforcement arrest.

3. If a squatter[[s) have chidren they must go school in their district with a doctor's approval of immunization shots. They can't miss more then 80% of absences or face immediate eviction or loss of state or gov't benefits. [[If they have one.)

**DetroitPlanner** · October-10-12, 10:21 AM

I am going to squat in Danny's house!

**Danny** · October-10-12, 10:22 AM

Poobert sez...

"A lot of the recent upswing in squatter activity is due to Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and the monster that is Maureen Taylor. They cook up some phoney, notarized documents and convince the squatters they have rights to the property. They harken back to an old ordinance, Repair-to-Own, which is on the books, but they don't actually go through the proper legal channels to execute it. They put families in houses without plumbing, water, heat, or electricity because their idea is that it is better than nothing. In each instance I am intimately familiar with, the properties were all privately-owned by everyone from actual mortgage-holders who owned the property, to real estate agents listing them, or you name it - all privately owned. In each case the squatter behaved, well, like a squatter - threatening neighbors, throwing sewage out the window, allowing the property to rapidly deteriorate, all with the assurance that they own the property."

"Yes it's true, but not a state constitutional amendment and it can not be passed, becuase its already passed by the international law. There's nothing that the governments of world can do to change Squatters' rights."

"Squatters Rights are largely a myth. In Michigan you need to occupy a property for 15 years to obtain what is called Adverse Possession. They're just tough to get out because you need to prove they're not supposed to be there [[none of them are), which can be tough when they have official looking documents."

"Technically not true, but people can squat in your property if that home is unoccupied for months or years with some adverse possession."

**Danny** · October-10-12, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

I am going to squat in Danny's house!

You can start by squatting at my old home in 16210 Lawton St. north of Puritan, south of McNichols, east of Livernois and west of Log Cabin near the Highland Park border.

**poobert** · October-10-12, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitdave

The city should not allow this they should address the real problems , why not open the old brewsters...

This is key. Public housing has been largely dismantled.

However I've heard noises from these Michigan Welfare Rights scoundrels that squatters are entitled not just to a place to live but a bona fide house.

Really, though, there is more than one way to skin a squatter. A little goon squad goes a long way.

**Detwa** · October-10-12, 10:55 AM

Someone's going to get hurt over this. Not everybody is going to just call the news and wait it out.

It's not just Detroit though [[in this area), there's a lot of squatters in Pontiac too. I have a relative in Chicago who wants to return to this area and she was being coached on how to squat in a house in Pontiac. She was really considering it, because she's been told - by these other despicable relatives whom I won't break bread with - that she can do it for as long as 2 years because either they have, are, or know someone who is.

**trotwood** · October-10-12, 11:03 AM

This is crazy!!Crazier than the nut who thinks she's entitled to live in Ms.Peterson's house. I applaud the homeowner for taking a stand but I'd be worried for my saftey&the saftey of my baby were I her. The little I saw of the sqatter suggests she's not firmly rooted in reality. The woman looks plain batty!!
One thing has me confused about this entire mess though. How did Ms.Patterson get back into the house after the deranged sqauatter changed the locks? I normally don't condone violence but in this case I'd make an exception. ICAM with those that suggest Peterson get some of her burley family members or friends to escort the squatter out! However I do worry that once Ms.Peterson gets this nut out of her house there will be some kind of retaliation against Ms.Peterson and/or the property.
I've seen a lot in my time here in Michigan but this is one of the strangest things to date!

**Zacha341** · October-10-12, 11:07 AM

What I don't get is how are utilities turned on? Last I heard if there are delinquencies on the water, gas or electric you cannot get these things turned on in your name; squatter or otherwise.

So what are the squatters doing when MICHIGAN WINTER comes, what are they doing for sanitation all year?

Originally Posted by Detwa

Someone's going to get hurt over this. Not everybody is going to just call the news and wait it out....

**Zacha341** · October-10-12, 11:08 AM

Ewww. Log Cabin street. Not good. No wonder you want out! Puritan near there is a jewel too!

Originally Posted by Danny

You can start by squatting at my old home in 16210 Lawton St. north of Puritan, south of McNichols, east of Livernois and west of Log Cabin near the Highland Park border.

**Honky Tonk** · October-10-12, 11:13 AM

"Why would someone buy a home in Boston Edison, and then just leave it for a year, unwatched?
I wouldn't leave a home in that area unwatched for the weekend. A year is just crazy, and you would expect something bad to happen in that timespan.
I mean, she paid 23k for what is probably a mini-mansion. Why does she think it's so cheap?"
"Let's say this squatter never stayed in the house. Wouldn't the owner arguably be worse off?
What would happen to an unoccupied, unwatched home in this neighborhood in the course of a year? At the least, it would be stripped clean."

You're right. WHAT was the owner thinking! Maybe she could reimburse the squatter for her time and trouble. I mean, after all, she is potential Presidential material.

**Danny** · October-10-12, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Ewww. Log Cabin street. Not good. No wonder you want out! Puritan near there is a jewel too!

I and my family left the area in 1985. My dad lost his job and we can't pay the bills. We did not squat! My parents were hard working middle class family taxpayers. Lawton St between Puritan and McNichols was called Martin Park near Palmer Park, Pilgrim Village and University District. It was a very beautiful neighborhood until the DEAD [[C)KRAK HEADS from Highland Park took over and turn it into a ghetto. After I have move out There once was a drug house being formed after the owner died and people squatted in there until the city torn it down. There was a drug house on the middle block of Lawton St next to my aunt and her family. The city finally torn it down. There are plenty of vacant and abandon homes in that area today ready for squatting.