California homeowner struggles to reclaim property from Airbnb renter.

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 Nikeeta Sriram's dream of living in her Mid-Wilshire home has turned into a nightmare as she battles to reclaim it from an alleged rogue tenant. For two years, her property has been listed on Airbnb without her consent, causing significant damage and legal turmoil.

The Problem Tenant

Sriram, 31, bought the Mid-Wilshire home for $1.675 million in March 2022 but couldn't move in immediately due to an existing lease on another property. She decided to rent out the new home and initially chose a different tenant. However, after they moved out early, she rented it to Nicholas Jarzabek, who she thought was a perfect tenant.

Jarzabek, who also goes by the musician name Nick Diver, seemed ideal. He had over $1 million in the bank and impressed Sriram during the walk-through. However, his true intentions soon became clear. Without Sriram's knowledge, he turned the property into a lucrative Airbnb rental.

Discovering the Deception

For the first year, Jarzabek paid rent on time and maintained a low profile. But in December 2023, the ADT alarm system at the house was triggered multiple times, prompting a police visit. It was then Sriram learned from ADT that Airbnb guests had set off the alarms.

Despite Jarzabek’s denial, Sriram found her property listed on Airbnb, with more than 100 reviews. The main house was listed for $688 per night and the back house for $496 per night. The listings were under the name "Rich Jacobs," possibly an alias.

Legal and Personal Struggles

Sriram confronted Jarzabek, who referred her to his lawyer. She then booked the house on Airbnb herself to communicate directly with "Jacobs," asking him to stop. Although the listings were temporarily removed, they reappeared under different profiles.

Sriram filed an eviction lawsuit and a cease and desist order, but the property continued to be rented. Another profile, "Monthier," appeared to be involved, possibly a rental company with multiple listings across the country.

Taking Action

Frustrated and desperate, Sriram and her boyfriend, Peter Banachowski, decided to personally visit the property whenever it was rented and inform the guests of the situation. Most guests were understanding but upset about the disruption.

Despite multiple legal actions, including eviction filings and cease-and-desist orders, Sriram's struggle to reclaim her property continues. The case highlights the complexities and challenges of dealing with unauthorized short-term rentals in an era where platforms like Airbnb have transformed the rental market.

Conclusion

Sriram's experience underscores the importance of vigilance and thorough vetting in rental agreements. It also raises questions about the responsibilities of platforms like Airbnb in preventing and addressing unauthorized listings. As Sriram navigates the legal system, her story serves as a cautionary tale for property owners everywhere.

*This May article originally created by the LA Times has been rewritten for better understanding.

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