In a story that highlights the disturbing rise of squatter’s rights abuse, a Kentucky homeowner’s generosity turned into a nightmare when his friends-turned-squatters took control of his home and left him homeless. Daniel Toma, a resident of Valley Station in Louisville, found himself on the streets after a judge sided with the very people he tried to help—despite his being the rightful owner of the property.
Toma’s ordeal began innocently enough when he extended a helping hand to his friend Amy Davis and her boyfriend Tyler Sencuk. The couple’s car had broken down, and in a moment of compassion, Toma allowed them to stay temporarily in his garage while they worked on getting the vehicle fixed. But what started as a favor to a friend quickly spiraled out of control.
As Toma told WAVE News, Sencuk spent several days in his driveway trying to repair the car, but with little success. Hoping to avoid putting them out on the streets, Toma let them stay a bit longer. Little did he know that his good deed would be severely punished. Soon, Davis and Sencuk laid out a mattress in the garage and started making themselves at home—literally.
The couple took full advantage of Toma’s hospitality, changing the garage lock, having cable installed, and even redirecting their mail to his address. And while they enjoyed living rent-free, Toma was quickly realizing the mistake he had made.
Despite having no lease agreement, Davis and Sencuk refused to leave when Toma, along with his roommates, politely asked them to vacate the premises. Instead of respecting the wishes of the homeowner, Sencuk claimed they had “squatters’ rights,” citing a dubious legal protection that left Toma feeling powerless.
As summer came to an end, Toma decided enough was enough. He posted a 30-day eviction notice, hoping to regain control of his home. Instead of leaving, however, Sencuk escalated the situation, getting into a physical altercation with one of Toma’s roommates. Shockingly, Sencuk then filed an emergency protective order against Toma, claiming they were roommates, and a judge—apparently unaware that Toma owned the house—granted the order.
With the protective order in place, Toma was banned from coming within 500 feet of his own home. “I just want this nightmare to end,” Toma told WAVE. “I’ve been homeless the last few days. I feel like I have no power. I feel like I have no rights.”
Sencuk, in an email to WAVE, claimed that he had an agreement with Toma to perform maintenance around the house in exchange for staying there. Toma vehemently denied this, stating that no such arrangement was ever made. “The bills are in my name. I need to take care of things, and I want to sleep in my own bed too,” he said.
This case highlights the increasing problem of squatter’s rights being exploited, where property owners are often forced into legal battles just to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Under Kentucky law, squatters can stay on a property unless the owner files a formal eviction notice, making it a lengthy and frustrating process for homeowners like Toma.
Although Sencuk has since moved out, Toma is still grappling with the protective order and awaits his day in court to challenge the ruling. His case underscores a larger issue where well-intentioned property owners are left vulnerable by legal loopholes that allow bad actors to take advantage of their kindness.
For homeowners, this story is a stark warning about the dangers of extending goodwill without formal agreements in place. What began as a simple act of charity for Daniel Toma has turned into a legal battle just to sleep in his own bed.
