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Article Courtesy of Channel
6 News
By Louis Bolden
Published May 14, 2026
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ORLANDO – The City of Orlando is taking legal action against a Lake Eola Heights
couple, filing a lawsuit to foreclose on their property over more than half a
million dollars in code enforcement violations.
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Walking through the home of Holly
Joffrion and Mikhail Vaysberg is a testament to their
travels. Every room features a different look, and every
piece of art tells a story. But city officials are now
questioning whether the couple actually lives there.
“It has become stressful,” one of the homeowners said when
asked about the toll the legal battle has taken on their
family.
Fines topping $500K
News 6 found the city began fining the couple in 2023. Some
of those fines are accruing at up to $2,000 per day, pushing
the total well past $500,000. The largest single fine
exceeds $341,000.
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At
the heart of the dispute: The city accuses the couple of not living in the home,
but instead renting it as an Airbnb and hosting concerts on the property.
There’s no business here. I make zero money on anything they claim I make,”
Vaysberg said.
Vaysberg denies the allegations, saying the gatherings held at the home are
simply for family and friends.
“I also have a big family, and why should I not have friends over?” he said.
Neighbors tell a different story
But residents who live in the condo complex directly behind the property
describe something far different.
“These are events they’re having — they’re not family,” said Paul Stocksdale,
president of the homeowners association for Justin Place Condos.
Stocksdale says the sound carries directly over the fence and into the
neighboring units.
“They have the loud music — it’s like a studio, it’s like a concert. It’ll shake
your windows,” he said.
“That loud?” a reporter asked.
“Yeah, it’s that loud,” Stocksdale replied.
Homestead exemption at issue
The couple told News 6 they did explore using the property as an Airbnb, but
changed their minds once they realized how much work the historic home requires.
However, News 6 found they are also claiming a homestead exemption on the
property — something the city calls improper.
Neighbors say the situation has worn thin.
“They have total disregard for the neighbors. They don’t care,” Stocksdale said.
The City of Orlando released a statement to News 6, saying in part: “We remain
committed to protecting the quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood and
will continue to follow all applicable legal procedures as the case moves
forward,” a spokesperson said via email
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