Airbnb squatter? Hermosa Beach homeowner says guest refused to leave after reservation ended - ABC7 Los Angeles

What the report says

KABC-TV reports that a Hermosa Beach, California, homeowner says an Airbnb stay turned into a legal and financial dispute after a guest allegedly remained in her townhome beyond the end of his reservation. Wendy Weissman told the station she rented the property to a guest identified as Evhan Lemarck of France. She said he initially booked for one month, paid for 48 days, then stopped paying and did not leave.

The case drew attention because Weissman said local rules in her neighborhood require rentals of at least 30 days. Real estate attorney Daniel Bornstein told KABC that, under California law, a person who stays in a property for 30 days can gain tenancy rights, meaning an owner may have to pursue removal through civil court. He said that process can last months, and advised hosts to take precautions such as verifying identities, confirming departure plans and avoiding stays longer than 29 days where possible.

Weissman told KABC that a prolonged eviction could cost her more than $70,000 in lost rental income while she continued to pay mortgage, tax and legal expenses. She also said police treated the matter as civil, and she criticized Airbnb’s response. Airbnb told the station that cases of this kind are “very rare,” said it was in contact with the host and said the guest had been removed from its platform.

According to Weissman’s account to KABC, the guest later left after a neighbor reported water pouring from the townhome and she entered during the emergency, finding damage and disorder. She said she wants stronger protections for short-term rental owners facing similar disputes.