570-Day Standoff Ends as Alleged Squatter Finally Leaves $3.5 Million LA Mansion Amid Ongoing Legal Battle

Tenant had lived rent-free for over 18 months after exploiting a rental agreement with Airbnb, leading to an estimated $60,000 in unpaid rent and an extensive legal feud.

Elizabeth Hirschhorn occupied a $3.5 million mansion's guest house in Los Angeles for 570 days without paying rent, leading to an estimated $60,000 in unpaid rent and a protracted legal feud with the homeowner, Sascha Jovanovic.
Hirschhorn moved into the guest house under an Airbnb agreement in 2021, which was later extended. However, the relationship between the tenant and homeowner deteriorated after about five months when Jovanovic discovered water damage and mold in the guest house.
Hirschhorn's refusal to relocate to temporary accommodation for repair work and her subsequent stoppage of rent payments led to a drawn-out legal battle. She argued that the housing was subject to a Rent Control Ordinance, which would necessitate Jovanovic to evict her formally and claimed she was not required to pay rent because the guest house lacked proper licensing to serve as a rentable apartment.
Despite the home being returned to the landlord in the same condition as when Hirschhorn first rented it, she maintained that the landlord had no right to change the locks after she left. Hirschhorn's lawyer referred to her client's right to return and insisted that Jovanovic had broken the law by changing the locks without permission.
Jovanovic and his lawyer deny allegations of harassment by Hirschhorn and her lawyer. They also intend to push on with the lawsuit to retrieve the back rent from Hirschhorn, asserting she had wrongfully secured 570 days of free rent and extensively hassled Jovanovic.