A member of the US Army Reserve taken advantage of by a heartless squatter, who drives a Mercedes, says she’s spent “over $50,000” of her hard-earned cash in the last year dealing with the unlawful dweller.
Lt. Mikiya Barber, 26, bought her dream home in Houston, Texas, in May 2022, but soon after was called up for active duty, according to ABC 13.
After receiving orders that she’d be stationed in Florida, she put her three-bedroom, two-bathroom home up for rent to make some extra income while away.
Barber said it all went “downhill” after she chose Natasha Timmons to become her tenant.
“It’s been emotionally draining to the point where I’ve had therapy,” she told the outlet.
Barber has been forced to take time away from serving the country to fight this legal battle in Texas
“One person has cost me over $50,000,” she revealed, saying she “wouldn’t wish this on anyone.”
Lt. Mikiya Barber’s dreams finally came true of owning a home in Houston, Texas, in May 2022. KTRK
Barber, a US Army reservist, was called up for active service soon after the purchase and put the home up for rent. KTRKTimmons agreed to sign a monthly lease for $2,000 after the young lieutenant ran a background check and saw nothing out of the ordinary that would raise any red flags.
Brazenly, the squatter only made the first two months of payments and became uncooperative when Barber offered to create a “payment plan” so she could catch up on the missed rent.
“I tried to make a payment plan for her. Then, she started threatening me to file bankruptcy and making sure I go through this process,” Barber shared.
Natasha Timmons was selected by Barber to become her tenant after a background check. KTRK
Timmons, who stopped making payments after the first two months, tried fighting the soldier in bankruptcy court despite driving a luxury vehicle. KTRKNow fighting the alleged fraudster in court, records obtained by the outlet show that Timmons — who was convicted of theft in 2003 — has recently filed for four identical bankruptcy cases.
Neighbors shared videos with the outlet of Timmons and others in the home driving luxury cars and even washing them carelessly despite claiming she was bankrupt.
However, a judge in Harris County last Monday ordered the squatter to start paying back the rent she owed to Barber after Timmons revealed in court that she has no active bankruptcy cases.
A judge ruled last Monday that Timmons must pay Barber what is owed. KTRK
Barber said she just wants Timmons out of her home so she can be done with this burden. KTRKTimmons is due to reappear next Monday in court, where she could face eviction, the outlet said.
“She is living in the house and making it known she’s not leaving my house, but I’m excited for (Monday’s hearing), and she’ll be out soon,” Barber said.
With nine years under her belt of serving the nation, the young Army lieutenant said nothing had prepared her for the strenuous legal battle to remove a squatter from her home.
“I don’t know why she doesn’t want to let go of my home. I have even tried to do agreements with her,” Barber told the outlet.
