Los Angeles’ ‘Nightmare Airbnb Guest’ Leaves Luxe Pad, but Vows She’ll Be Back
Elizabeth Hirschhorn, Brentwood’s so-called “tenant from Hell” who overstayed her rental at a luxury Airbnb by more than a year, has finally left. The Daily Mail reported that Hirschhorn, who has a history of similar schemes, vacated periodontist Aleksandar "Sascha" Jovanovic’s seaside property last Friday. Her exit was overseen by members of the LAPD. However, she insists her exit is only temporary, and isn’t stepping down from an ongoing court battle.
Hirschhorn had rented the property’s guest house in September 2021, intending to stay until the following March. When the contract expired, Hirschhorn refused to leave for a variety of reasons, including the ongoing pandemic.
Matters were complicated because the unit was never licensed as a rental, leading a judge to determine that Hirschhorn couldn’t be evicted as she was never a lawful tenant. Hirschhorn was demanding $100,000 in “relocation” fees, according to court documents, and wanted a refund of her initial $20,000 payment due to the dwelling’s legal status.
Friday’s departure came as a surprise even to the landlord. Emails between Jovanovic's lawyer, Sebastian Rucci, and Hirschhorn's counsel, Amanda Seward, reviewed by Men's Journal paint a chaotic picture of the scene.
Jovanovic and Rucci were in the process of filming a documentary about the eviction when the homeowner noticed a group of unidentified men prowling through his yard. He called the police, only to find out these were Hirschhorn's movers. When LAPD officers arrived, they spoke with Hirschhorn for an hour before reporting to Jovanovic and Rucci that she was vacating the property. A while later, police escorted her from the home with her possessions in tow.
“I'm very relieved and also a bit overwhelmed,” Jovanovic told Daily Mail. “It was a long time coming but now she is finally out! This weekend is going to be very positive.”
Those positive feelings were curtailed, however, when contacted Seward about canceling upcoming trial dates and mentioned that his client had already changed the locks in the apartment. Seward then reported Hirshhorn had every intention of returning to the home.
“Please be advised you have no authority to change the locks or to assume abandonment of the property. All rights are reserved,” Seward told Rucci in emails reviewed by Men's Journal.
“We changed the locks when Hirschhorn left. Her lawyer responded that we jumped the gun as she intended to return after leaving,” an incredulous Rucci told Daily Mail. “I responded that she was not allowed back, and the burden is now on her to go to court to regain possession.”
Hirschhorn’s legal battle with Jovanovic will continue, as he still hopes she’ll repay nearly $60,000 in back rent. Rucci estimates that the case could proceed as early as mid-December. He contends, however, that Hirschhorn won't be coming back to the Brentwood rental.
"There is no prospect of Hirschhorn returning," Rucci told Men's Journal when asked if she had any legal precedence to reassume occupancy. "It's a sign of their perverse views on the issue."
In the meantime, Hirschhorn has reportedly moved into a fully-furnished, $3,600-per-month luxury apartment in downtown Los Angeles.
