WEST PALM BEACH — Authorities say a woman rented out her neighbor's empty house through Craigslist and collected more than $13,000 before the owner found out.
West Palm Beach police arrested 30-year-old Nathalie Heil on Friday. She faces grand theft and fraud charges.
The Palm Beach Post reports Heil claims ownership of the house because she filed "adverse possession" papers. A Florida law states that if someone claiming adverse possession stays in a home for seven years, pays taxes and takes care of the property, they can take permanent ownership.
Heil says the home was abandoned six years ago and she assumed it was hers when she filed the papers. Police say they found no paperwork.
The owner tipped off police after finding someone living in the home, which is in foreclosure.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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