A handyman from Nevada decided to take action against squatters who had occupied his mother’s house.
Flash Shelton, the executive director of United Handyman Association, explained in a YouTube video that the issue began after his father passed away. His mother had listed the family home in California for rent because she could no longer live there.
A woman, who claimed to be a prison guard, contacted Shelton expressing interest in the vacancy but couldn’t provide any money or credit towards it.
Shelton declined her request, but she persisted and moved in without his consent.
“She ended up having a truck of furniture, and literally moved into the house,” Shelton said.
“I started hearing from Realtors …. saying that there is this lady and people in the house and a house full of furniture.”
Neighbors also reported seeing ‘lights on in the property’ during the evening and cars arriving on the driveway.
Shelton sought help from local police and the sheriff’s department but was allegedly informed that it was beyond their jurisdiction.
“They said, ‘I’m sorry, we can’t enter the house and it looks like they’re living there. You need to go through the courts’.” explained Shelton.
So, the handyman devised a plan to counter the squatters using their own tactics.
His strategy was straightforward.
“All I needed to do at that point was do the same thing they did, and occupy the house,” he said.
“If they can take a house, I can take a house.”
He had his mother draft a ‘lease agreement’ to make him the legal tenant of the property. He then loaded his car, bringing his gun ‘just in case,’ and set off for California from Nevada.
Arriving at the property at 4am, he waited for the squatters to leave and then entered the house while they were out. When they returned, they were shocked to find him there. He told them they needed to leave and take their belongings with them as soon as possible.
Surprisingly, the squatters were courteous about the situation and apologized for the inconvenience they had caused. They said: “I’m really sorry about all this,” and left with their belongings the next day.
Shelton described the plan as ‘successful,’ adding: “I think just the fact that I was there was enough.”
“It was actually fun to do it. I won’t lie about that.”
In a follow-up video, Shelton warned viewers not to emulate his actions, as they might not be as fortunate to have a peaceful resolution.
“Not everyone should walk through that door not knowing what you’re gonna find,” he said.
“It’s not always going to be peaceful like that.”