The owner of a commercial building in Huntington Park, California, says she’s been battling squatters for years — and she’s had enough.
Dr. Tahani Soliman, who owns an office near Rugby and Slauson avenues, says trespassers have repeatedly caused fires, stolen utilities and stripped rooftop air conditioning units. Despite spending thousands on repairs and security, she says local authorities have done little to help.
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“It’s misery,” Soliman told KTLA 5. “I don’t deserve that.”
Gaby Rodriguez, who works with Soliman, said the most recent incident involved a fire set by squatters living on the roof of the adjacent building. Fire crews put it out, but she said it’s just the latest in a string of dangerous episodes.
In 2023, firefighters responded to another rooftop fire at the vacant parking structure next door. They found people living in tents, allegedly tapping into Soliman’s electricity and water.
Squatters keep coming back
Soliman said she’s tried again and again to secure the property. She’s put up fencing to block access from the neighboring roof, added barbed wire and even caged her AC units. But each time, she said, squatters tear it all down.
“We ended up putting a fence up — they pulled that down. Then we caged our AC units — they took that down, too,” Rodriguez told KTLA 5.
The trespassers have reportedly stripped rooftop equipment for parts and left behind damage that Soliman said has cost her nearly $100,000. She’s had to replace the entire roof and is even considering early retirement to save money.
Soliman said she’s contacted police and city officials several times, but received little support.
“I told them we have a building here empty, breeding homeless, do something about it,” Soliman said. “[The city said] ‘Oh, we’ll see, we’ll see.’”
KTLA 5 reports that the City of Huntington Park said it would look into the matter, but so far no action has been confirmed.
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A growing issue across California
Cases like Soliman’s are increasingly common across California, where housing insecurity and homelessness have reached crisis levels. A growing number of tenants have reportedly stopped paying rent and transitioned into squatters — a situation that leaves property owners stuck in legal limbo.
“The squatter problem isn’t getting better here,” Alex Capozzolo of SD House Guys told CBS 4. “We’ve had multiple rental properties have tenants stop paying and start squatting. It’s not always easy getting them out.”
Capozzolo estimated that California landlords typically spend between $5,000 and $12,000 in legal fees just to begin the eviction process.
Despite the cost, California law makes it difficult for property owners to remove squatters quickly — even in cases involving damage or safety risks.
A recent bill, AB 897, would have required squatters to show documentation proving their right to occupy a property. It was pulled following opposition.
According to The Center Square, opponents feared the bill could criminalize homelessness or wrongful evictions, though supporters argued it would protect landlords from dangerous situations like Soliman’s.
“Rather than addressing the root causes of our state’s housing crisis, AB 897 would accelerate pathways into homelessness,” said Housing California. “Landlords and tenants currently have access to civil eviction processes designed to address unauthorized occupancy.”
Under current law, squatters can sometimes establish legal occupancy if the owner doesn’t act fast — especially in places like Los Angeles County, where enforcement resources are stretched thin and homelessness remains widespread.
How to protect your property
California property owners dealing with squatters have limited options. Still, there are steps they can take:
- Act quickly: The longer someone stays, the harder it is to remove them. File a police report and start the eviction process immediately.
- Secure your property: Install fencing, cameras and motion lights. Make sure doors and windows are locked. Regularly inspect vacant buildings.
- Document everything: Take photos of damage, theft or unauthorized entry. Surveillance footage can help you in court or with law enforcement.
- Get professional help: Consult a real estate attorney familiar with California’s landlord-tenant laws. Some cases may qualify for an unlawful detainer lawsuit.
- Know your rights: While police may not remove squatters without a court order, they can intervene in cases involving trespassing, utility theft or fire hazards.
Though Soliman hopes the city will step up soon, her story highlights a deeper issue: California’s squatter laws leave property owners with few options — even when public safety is at risk.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
