Bogus landlord behind bars
YAKIMA, Wa. -- KIMA learned a suspected bogus landlord is now behind bars. Yakima police told us they've been on her tail for months. Detectives said she ripped people off by renting homes she didn't own. Action News discovered why it took the city so long to catch her and how you can keep it from happening to you.
It's normally a given. When you meet with a landlord you assume the person actually owns the property. But that hasn't always been the case. Jade Chester's neighbor on Lincoln Avenue is a service member who was fighting in Iraq. Chester became concerned when a woman rented out the solider's property.
"She rented out this back house," said Chester.
Problem is police said Lashawne Rojas never had permission to rent out the Lincoln Avenue home.
That home isn't the only place where she's done this city codes has a list of other homes and apartments here in Yakima.
"She broke into five buildings that were vacant, changed the locks, came here opened up accounts and rented them out to people and collected rent," said code enforcement manager, Joe Caruso.
City codes and police have been trying to find Rojas since March. They tell Action News Rojas went so far as to put water bills and at least one house deed in her name, using false documents.
"I called YPD numerous times about her, but the problem was, we couldn't get a hold of the home owner," said Chester.
The difficulty of tracking down that service member overseas allowed this issue to persist. It wasn't until Chester’s neighbor returned that Rojas was finally locked up forgery charges. It's likely this bogus landlord wasn't the only one taking money from tenants around town.
"This is what's happening to our home owners here in Yakima,” said Chester. “It could happen to anybody it's an epidemic problem."
Yakima is now working on other cases against her. So how can you be sure you aren't ripped off by a phony landlord? Do your homework. The same way a landlord might check up on you. You can check the ownership and financial status of a property by checking with the Assessor's office. It can often be done online. This could tell you if the property is in foreclosure making it possible for a bank to evict you.
Talk to neighbors about who owns the property. They likely know the truth, just like in this case. Don't be afraid to ask questions. A reputable landlord will appreciate a savvy tenant.
It's normally a given. When you meet with a landlord you assume the person actually owns the property. But that hasn't always been the case. Jade Chester's neighbor on Lincoln Avenue is a service member who was fighting in Iraq. Chester became concerned when a woman rented out the solider's property.
"She rented out this back house," said Chester.
Problem is police said Lashawne Rojas never had permission to rent out the Lincoln Avenue home.
That home isn't the only place where she's done this city codes has a list of other homes and apartments here in Yakima.
"She broke into five buildings that were vacant, changed the locks, came here opened up accounts and rented them out to people and collected rent," said code enforcement manager, Joe Caruso.
City codes and police have been trying to find Rojas since March. They tell Action News Rojas went so far as to put water bills and at least one house deed in her name, using false documents.
"I called YPD numerous times about her, but the problem was, we couldn't get a hold of the home owner," said Chester.
The difficulty of tracking down that service member overseas allowed this issue to persist. It wasn't until Chester’s neighbor returned that Rojas was finally locked up forgery charges. It's likely this bogus landlord wasn't the only one taking money from tenants around town.
"This is what's happening to our home owners here in Yakima,” said Chester. “It could happen to anybody it's an epidemic problem."
Yakima is now working on other cases against her. So how can you be sure you aren't ripped off by a phony landlord? Do your homework. The same way a landlord might check up on you. You can check the ownership and financial status of a property by checking with the Assessor's office. It can often be done online. This could tell you if the property is in foreclosure making it possible for a bank to evict you.
Talk to neighbors about who owns the property. They likely know the truth, just like in this case. Don't be afraid to ask questions. A reputable landlord will appreciate a savvy tenant.
