🌴 Airbnb tenant overstayed her welcome by 540 days without paying and demanding $100,000 to move out
A string of property disputes, a hefty credit card bill, and now a high-profile tussle with an Airbnb host - delving into the enigmatic tenant life of Elizabeth Hirschhorn.
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Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.
The convenience of sharing economy platforms like Airbnb has made life easier and more connected for countless people around the world. However, a recent incident has brought to light some potential dangers of these platforms, particularly when it comes to problem renters.
According to a DailyMail exclusive story in the realm of Airbnb nightmares, Elizabeth Hirschhorn’s case reigns supreme. A Harvard alumna with a penchant for overstaying her welcome, Hirschhorn's rental saga began two months prior to her current residence, a ritzy Brentwood mansion owned by Sascha Jovanovic. The charm of the $3.8 million abode has kept Hirschhorn rooted for 540 days, well past her initial six-month agreement.
Prior to this, Hirschhorn was involved in a tenant-landlord dispute at a $2.6 million Oakland home. She had sublet a room but refused to vacate even after the original tenant left due to her alleged hostile behavior. The case was eventually resolved in July 2021, shortly before Hirschhorn's move to Jovanovic’s Brentwood estate.
Now ensconced in luxury, Hirschhorn demands a hefty $100,000 to leave the Airbnb abode. She claims fears of COVID-19 complications and a housing disability keep her bound indoors. But Jovanovic's patience is wearing thin, having offered alternative accommodations and a $2,000 relocation bonus, all of which Hirschhorn declined.
Court documents unveil a pattern of disputes Hirschhorn has had with past landlords, all revolving around similar issues of tenancy, cleanliness, and overdue payments. In one instance, she was sued over an unpaid $19,000 American Express credit card bill, a case that dragged on for over two years before settlement.
Jovanovic’s attempts to evict Hirschhorn have hit a legal wall. Los Angeles law, grappling with the housing crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, has temporarily strengthened tenant rights, making eviction a labyrinthine process. Jovanovic’s plight highlights a broader issue - the fine line Airbnb hosts tread between hospitality and the harsh reality of tenant-landlord laws.
Legal documents show that Jovanovic approved a stay for Hirschhorn from September 13, 2021, to March 19, 2022, totaling $19,833 for 187 nights. Hirschhorn extended her stay by 24 days, and then seemingly indefinitely, citing health concerns and the pandemic.
The situation escalated when Jovanovic discovered mold and water damage in his guesthouse. His offers to accommodate Hirschhorn elsewhere during repairs fell on deaf ears. She cited her chemical sensitivities and the ongoing pandemic as reasons to stay put, turning down even an offer to stay in Jovanovic’s main residence due to her aversion to his cats.
The case is now a legal quagmire, with Hirschhorn counter-suing Jovanovic, alleging inappropriate invitations to share his residence. This ongoing legal tussle sheds light on the precarious situations both Airbnb hosts and guests can find themselves in, amidst a backdrop of a global pandemic and evolving tenant-landlord laws.
The Jovanovic-Hirschhorn debacle serves as a cautionary tale to Airbnb hosts and the platform itself. As long-term rentals on the platform become more common amidst a changing global housing landscape, the lines between short-term hospitality and long-term tenancy continue to blur, calling for a closer examination and, possibly, a re-evaluation of Airbnb's policies and the legal frameworks governing short-term rentals.
Do you know the people involved, or have your own Airbnb horror story, reach out to Daily Mail reporter Martha Williams at martha.williams@mailonline.com
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