UPDATE: A Maryland professor was left homeless for nearly two months after discovering strangers had moved into his house using a fake lease. Ze Wang, a professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, returned home to his townhouse in Pigtown, Baltimore, on January 7, 2023, only to find his keys no longer worked.
Wang immediately called 911 upon noticing signs of forced entry. He found a white vehicle parked in his garage with strangers unloading their belongings. “I was totally shocked,” Wang told FOX45. The intruders had taken over his home, leaving him with nowhere to go as he prepared to teach the next day.
When police arrived, the squatters presented a lease agreement signed by an unknown individual named “Samuel.” Wang insisted it was a fake, showing officers evidence of forced entry, including a damaged window. However, police treated the situation as a landlord-tenant dispute and left without assisting him.
While Wang was forced to live elsewhere, he received messages demanding $5,000 in cash to vacate his property. After enduring the ordeal for 59 days, he filed a wrongful detainer lawsuit, only to discover the female squatter had provided a fake name.
The squatters ultimately left, but not before causing extensive damage. Contractors estimate repairs will exceed $80,000. Wang discovered multiple holes in the walls, a broken garage door frame, and rooms filled with discarded items, including clothing, toys, and drug paraphernalia. The master bedroom contained burnt marijuana cigarettes and a strong smell of urine, while two bedrooms were littered with soiled diapers.
Contractors reported a section of the ceiling collapsed due to a clogged toilet on the third floor, leading to water damage throughout the home. Wang’s experience highlights the urgent need for reform in Maryland’s laws regarding fraudulent leases.
As lawmakers continue to debate changes to address this issue, Wang is focused on repairing his home and hopes to sell it soon. His story sheds light on the growing problem of squatting and the challenges faced by homeowners across the state.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned.