Houston homes taken over by squatters leave owners, neighbors frustrated by legalities

Living across the street from 6322 Costa Mesa means living in perpetual fear. The house is visibly deteriorating, with missing doors, scattered drywall remnants, and smoldering fires gradually consuming its structure.

Willie Robinson, a neighbor, expressed her distress to ACTION 13, describing the constant influx of squatters, including teenagers, as a source of fear. Robinson and other neighbors are desperate to see the squatters ousted and the house demolished.

“We’re terrified to step outside,” she said. “And the squatters act like they belong here more than we do, despite us paying taxes!”

However, as numerous neighborhoods have experienced firsthand, resolving squatter or problem home issues can be a lengthy and complex process, often taking months or even years.

In 2023, various squatting scenarios were profiled, each presenting unique challenges with no straightforward solutions.

For instance, a Meyerland homeowner faced a family of five who unlawfully occupied her rental property after changing the locks. In another case, a legitimate renter stopped paying rent, forcing the absentee landlord, a young Army reservist, to navigate the eviction process remotely.

Similarly, a Willowbend residence, listed for sale, was inhabited by a family of four for nearly a year. Despite the realtor’s repeated court appearances, it took considerable effort before a judge ordered the squatters to vacate.

In yet another incident, a west Houston property owned by an elderly lady was overrun by squatters and drug users, necessitating intervention from law enforcement to remove them.

Despite such challenges, Texas laws generally mandate a lengthy eviction process for anyone claiming tenancy rights, whether legitimate tenants or squatters. Law enforcement typically redirects such disputes to civil courts rather than making arrests.

This slow legal recourse frustrates neighbors like Robinson, who advocates for updated laws to better protect communities. The next opportunity for legislative action is when the Texas Legislature reconvenes in January 2025.