FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS LANDLORD'S EXCUSES DID NOT FLY WITH JUDGE JUDY!
A Rental Nightmare Lands in Court
Imagine moving into a new room only to discover a severe flea infestation.
Then imagine your landlord flooding the house.
This case brings all that drama and more to Judge Judy's courtroom.
The Plaintiff Seeks Justice
Mr. Overheal is the plaintiff.
He rented a room from Ms. Echeveria.
He found the room on Craigslist.
He claims Ms. Echeveria owes him his security deposit back.
He also claims she damaged his property.
Finally, he says she spread untrue information about him.
The Defendant's Counterclaims
Ms. Echeveria is the defendant.
She has her own claims against Mr. Overheal.
She is seeking months of rent.
She also wants medical bills paid.
She alleges these bills are from Mr. Overheal pushing her during an altercation.
The Flea Infestation Begins
Mr. Overheal moved in around February 28th.
Rent was $690 a month.
He started experiencing flea bites around March 15th.
He immediately told Ms. Echeveria about the severe infestation.
He asked her to take care of the problem.
Nothing happened on her part, he says.
Mr. Overheal bought four flea bombers.
They did not work because the cats kept coming into the house.
He describes them as "outside inside cats."
Judge Judy Questions the Flea Evidence
Judge Judy asks Ms. Echeveria if she also suffered from flea bites.
She says no.
Judge Judy then asks Ms. Echeveria about Mr. Overheal showing her evidence of the fleas.
Ms. Echeveria says he showed her some evidence.
She claims it was a picture of fleas on a text message.
Mr. Overheal quickly corrects this.
He says he showed her the flea bites on his legs and arms.
He also had photos.
Judge Judy believes Mr. Overheal.
She states that if someone has a flea problem, they would show the bites on their arms and legs.
She tells Ms. Echeveria, "I don't believe you."
Judge Judy believes Mr. Overheal showed her his flea bites.
She suggests this is why Ms. Echeveria eventually bombed the house.
The Flooded House Incident
Mr. Overheal describes an incident on June 4th.
He arrived home around 5 p.m.
He saw water pouring out the front door.
He used his key to enter.
He discovered Ms. Echeveria had a hose attached and had flooded the house.
He shows Judge Judy a photo.
He explains there is an atrium plant area in the dining and living room.
He says she used the hose to flood the entire home.
Ms. Echeveria admits it was an accident.
She says she left the hose on while washing and trimming the atrium.
She came back from the bathroom to find water everywhere.
She clarifies it was not the whole house, just the atrium area.
Locked Out and Police Called
Mr. Overheal was alarmed by the flood.
He went to his master bedroom.
He then went back to his car for something.
When he returned, he found himself locked out.
He knocked and asked what was happening.
He told her his house keys were inside.
She finally opened the door but stood in the doorway.
She denied him entry.
She claimed he didn't live there and that she didn't know him.
Mr. Overheal states she was "obviously inebriated."
He insisted she let him in, reminding her he rented the master bedroom and had paid.
The police were called.
Mr. Overheal confirms he called them.
This was also on June 4th.
An Arrest and an Admission
Ms. Echeveria confirms the police were called on June 4th.
She admits she was arrested by the police that day.