In a jaw-dropping twist that reads like a Hollywood thriller, a Los Angeles dentist’s dream home turned into a real-life nightmare when his Airbnb guest refused to budge after overstaying her welcome by an astonishing 540 days. This astonishing tale of tenant-turned-squatter involves a luxury mansion, a legal labyrinth, and a feud that’s become the talk of the neighborhood.
Join us as we delve into this captivating story of a host’s dream shattered and the guest who wouldn’t leave.
Airbnb guest’s astonishing 540-day stay
Sascha Jovanovic, a successful Los Angeles dentist, found himself entangled in a legal quagmire when his Airbnb guest, Elizabeth Hirschhorn, refused to vacate his Brentwood Hills mansion after her stay had long expired. Here’s a breakdown of what happened:
- The Airbnb listing: In September 2021, Jovanovic decided to list the guesthouse of his luxurious $3.8 million Brentwood mansion on Airbnb. The guesthouse boasted stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles and was priced at $215 a night. He initially approved a six-month stay for Hirschhorn, with an agreement for her to stay until March 19, 2022, paying $105 a night, totaling $19,833.
- Extending the stay: Trouble began when Hirschhorn extended her stay by an additional 24 days, with an end date of April 12, 2022. During this extended period, disputes arose between Jovanovic and Hirschhorn regarding maintenance issues in the guesthouse. Jovanovic claimed he noticed mold and water damage around the sink, which he believed occurred during Hirschhorn’s stay.
- Legal complexities: The situation took a legal twist due to the property’s rental status. Jovanovic’s Airbnb listing was unregistered and lacked a certificate of occupancy. It also featured unpermitted alterations, making it an illegal rental. As a result, Hirschhorn argued that she shouldn’t pay rent and could even be owed for the rent she paid initially.
- Attempts to resolve: Jovanovic attempted to address the issues by offering to pay for Hirschhorn’s accommodation elsewhere while he repaired the guesthouse. However, she refused, citing health concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons she didn’t want to leave the property.
- Legal battle: Frustrated by Hirschhorn’s continued presence, Jovanovic filed multiple complaints against her, including breach of lease, damages for unjust enrichment, negligence, and trespass to real property. However, Hirschhorn’s legal team successfully had these complaints dismissed, arguing that there was no legal basis for the lawsuit.
- The just cause ordinance: One key reason why Jovanovic couldn’t evict Hirschhorn was the recently adopted Just Cause Ordinance in Los Angeles, which requires landlords to have a legal reason to evict tenants. As the Brentwood mansion was not approved for occupancy, Hirschhorn claimed she was within her rights to remain on the property.
- Ongoing feud: The unresolved situation has left Jovanovic and Hirschhorn living as neighbors but with a strained relationship. They’ve had disputes over various matters, including mail and noise, and the tension has taken a toll on Jovanovic’s family’s peace of mind.
Despite the ongoing ordeal, Jovanovic continues to hope for a resolution that would allow him to regain control of his guesthouse and restore it to a place of happiness for his family. This perplexing Airbnb nightmare serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and potential pitfalls of short-term rentals in a legal landscape that can be both intricate and unforgiving.
