Wendy Weissman faced a costly legal battle after an Airbnb guest, Evhan Lemarck, refused to vacate her Hermosa Beach townhouse.
Wendy Weissman, a poker player and homeowner, reported a "nightmare" experience when her Airbnb guest, Evhan Lemarck, refused to vacate her $1.9 million Hermosa Beach townhouse after his initial 30-day booking. Although Lemarck paid for 48 days, he continued to occupy the property without further payment, taking advantage of California occupancy laws that grant tenancy rights to guests staying 30 days or longer. Weissman noted that the lack of a clear exit could have resulted in a six-month eviction process, potentially costing $70,000 in lost rental income while she remained responsible for mortgage and tax payments. The dispute was eventually resolved when a major water leak created an emergency, allowing Weissman to enter the property and force Lemarck to leave. The guest left the home in disarray, including a filthy toilet and sand in the shower. While Airbnb removed Lemarck from its platform, Weissman criticized the company for providing minimal assistance and called for better insurance to protect owners against squatters in California.