Poppy Bilderbeck
An Airbnb host has spoken out about a guest who is refusing to leave and demanding $100,000 to relocate.
Sascha Jovanovic used to rent out the guesthouse of his $3.8 million home in Los Angeles on Airbnb and had been doing so successfully since 2019.
In September, 2021 the dentist rented out the property to a woman named Elizabeth Hirschhorn for six months, however, despite her stay coming to an end, she's still living there - rent free too.
Jovanovic ran into issues with Hirschhorn when she reported the electric blinds stopped working five months into her stay.
Upon going to fix the blinds, the homeowner says he discovered areas of mold and water damage which hadn't previously been there.
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In a bid to get people in to repair the damage before it spread Jovanovic offered to pay $1,500 for Hirschhorn to stay in a hotel.
However, the renter refused the offer, stating the 'high risks of Covid-19 complications' meant she didn't feel 'safe being forced to vacate with a housing disability', according to a lawsuit filed by Jovanovic.
Hirschhorn also included a doctor's note which states she is extremely sensitive to chemicals and when Jovanovic offered to move her into his main house instead, she once more referenced her sensitivities, the landlord a cat owner, as well as branding his offer 'inappropriate'.
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Hirschhorn's stay ended on 19 March, 2022, however, she didn't leave and even when Jovanovic allowed her to extend her stay until 12 April and pay her $2,000 to help move, she continued to reside in the guesthouse, refusing to let anyone inside.
Jovanovic subsequently decided to file an eviction notice, using his 'legal rights to remove [her] from [his] property'.
Alas, as it turns out, Jovanovic may not have the legal rights to remove Hirschhorn from the property after the squatter pointed out the guesthouse is violating two of the Department of Building and Safety's codes - the property featuring a shower which allegedly wasn't approved for build and the building itself reportedly not approved for occupancy.
Jovanovic was subsequently told to withdraw his eviction notices, and the landlord has also been fined by the Department of Building Safety because the guesthouse doesn't comply with the rules. Jovanovic is reportedly unable to do the repairs because of Hirschhorn blocking him from the building.
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Jovanovic agreed to rent out the guesthouse to Hirschhorn for $105 per night and subsequently the 187 nights Hirschhorn was meant to stay at the property came to a total of $20,793. However, she's not paid a penny for the 500+ days she's remained at the property ever since - Jovanovic forced to cancel multiple reservations too.
Hirschhorn argues she shouldn't pay rent and is owed the rent she paid during her agreed stay because the guesthouse wasn't allegedly approved for people to stay inside.
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The Times revealed a settlement offer of $100,000 was made by Hirschhorn - who could potentially live in the property rent-free forever as per the Just Cause Ordinance - but Jovanovic received a proposal from a lawyer to fight back against the squatter for free.
Jovanovic's lawyer has filed an unlawful detained complaint to evict Hirschhorn, as well as a damages complaint to retrieve the unpaid rent money totalling at least $50,000.
Hirschhorn's cross-complaint includes accusations against Jovanovic of violating LA County COVID-19 tenant protections, unlawful business practices, intentional infliction of emotional distress, nuisance and negligence.
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Jovanovic tod The LA Times: "I tried to be a kind host. I had no idea she would become what she has become.
"It’s like a war where no bullets are flying. Every time I open the door, I’m afraid she’ll be leaving at the same time. Her door is a few feet from my daughter’s bedroom. We don’t sleep well anymore."
According to the LA Times, as soon as Jovanovic offered for Hirschhorn to stay longer than the days on the Airbnb booking, it became an issue for the legal and civil system opposed to the rentals company.
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However, Hirschhorn was removed from the platform in 2022.
UNILAD has contacted Airbnb for comment.