Family Discovers Squatters in Their New Home

An unpleasant surprise awaited a family who had paid a deposit four years ago for an HDC home when they found squatters living comfortably in their allocated townhouse. The discovery was made just weeks before the family was to receive the keys. The incident, which occurred at Riverside South, Corinth, San Fernando on December 29, came to light when the family was informed about strangers occupying their unit. The police, already at the scene when the family arrived, found that curtains had been installed, locks had been changed, and holes had been drilled into the walls. Not just their unit, three women were found occupying several units in the townhouse block. They were instructed to clear their belongings and were taken to the San Fernando Police Station. Whether charges were pressed against them remains unclear. The family believes that recent public statements about regularising squatters in vacant HDC properties might have encouraged the intruders. The occupants claimed that they decided to move in after hearing that squatters could get housing. The family, who had paid their down payment in November 2020, said they had to repeatedly resubmit financial documents over the years as the cost of the unit rose from $600,000 to $750,000. After the break-in, the family approached the HDC on December 30 and following discussions with senior officials, they were given the keys under a rent-to-own arrangement. The family decided to move in immediately, despite the unit being handed over ‘as is,’ with existing utility bills.

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