Landlord battling pancreatic cancer fighting to evict squatter
News 12 attempted to contact the tenant who did not answer the door when we visited the property Monday.
Top Stories
A landlord is fighting to evict a squatter while battling Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Thomas Wooding, of Long Island, said his tenant at 660 4th Ave. in Park Slope hasn't paid rent since June 2023.
"I've made so many impassionate pleas, to please vacate my unit, she refuses," said Thomas Wooding.
He and his wife, Madalena Wooding, said they have been trying to evict the tenant turned squatter for nearly a year, but saw their case dismissed in February due to a technicality.
"Because she wasn't served some kind of order that was set in place during the pandemic that we didn't know about and the court clerk didn't give it to me," said Madalena Wooding.
News 12 attempted to contact the tenant who did not answer the door when we visited the property Monday.
The Woodings said they recently started the process to evict the tenant, by serving her a new 90-day notice of termination.
They've also had to hire an attorney.
"She gets free legal counsel and we don't," said Madalena Wooding.
Madalena Wooding said the whole experience has been frustrating and believes the laws protect tenants while leaving landlords high and dry.
She said their family is fighting to stay financially afloat and have started a GoFundme to help pay for their attorney fees as they are also paying mounting medical bills.
