Posted by MikeC/TX on 9/4/12 4:24pm
Msg #433095

Slightly OT, but an interesting read

I first heard about this problem here in the Fort Worth area last November - people were coming home from an extended trip and finding their house taken over by someone else, and it seemed on the surface to be perfectly legal at first... until it started happening more frequently.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/03/4226916/tarrant-county-gets-tough-on-squatters.html

Reply by Donna Demarest on 9/4/12 5:07pm
Msg #433106

Re: Slightly OT, but an interesting read...Yikes

Yikes. So many states, so many, many counties. This is happening far too many times in my own State/County. Here, all they really have to do is occupy. Unfortunately, It Is The Owner, that must prove status and residency, and then, go through an extremely expensive legal process to prevail (presume if you will, there are 10 "squatting" inhabitants... all must be served with written notice).

Reply by JPH13/MO on 9/4/12 5:12pm
Msg #433109

Another reason to use an alarm company!

If I am out of town, my sister who is nearby is the alternate contact if my alarm goes off. I also get a discount on my homeowner's insurance, but just the peace of mind makes it worth having. I know the police are slow to respond, but the sheer noise it makes should be enough for them to not stick around too long or take too many of my goodies, and they definitely couldn't become squatters.

Reply by MikeC/TX on 9/4/12 6:19pm
Msg #433123

Re: Another reason to use an alarm company!

The problem here in Texas is that the law actually allows this - for $16, you file an affidavit of adverse possession on abandoned property, and as long as you agree to maintain the property and pay the property tax, you're all set. Until someone figured out that the law could be gamed.

The affidavits were fraudulent - the property was not actually abandoned in these cases - but no one in a position of authority was checking to see if the affidavits were legit and the property was really abandoned (in their defense, I don't think they were required to do that under the law).

Can you imagine coming home from vacation and finding the locks changed and someone else living in your home? And the police can't do anything to help because this person has what appears to be a legal document that gives him ownership of the property?

It took the authorities here a couple of months to realize what was going on, and another couple of months to figure out what to do about it, but at least here in Tarrant County they've put an end to the scam and people are being arrested and charged. I'm not sure whether it's an issue in other counties; I've only read about it happening here.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/5/12 12:38am
Msg #433147

Re: Another reason to use an alarm company!

Great reminder to not disclose travel plans publicly, whether it be to people you might do casual business with or on miscellaneous social networking sites like Facebook - or even here! Our address and other information is pretty accessible to anyone who really wants it.

I just happened to get a call today on my home phone line (which no one calls me on anymore) from some telemarketer trying to promote sending out a newsletter about some supposedly safe investment program. This guy had my full name and address, in addition to phone number, which he said his company bought from some source. Didn't give me a real "warm fuzzy"...