Squatters cause problems for former homeowner

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- One local woman is locked in a real estate headache. She moved out of her home to avoid foreclosure and now she says someone is squatting in her former house. That's causing big problems with the mortgage company.

Days after she moved out, Katrina Collins says she got a call from her mortgage company, questioning her as to who she let move into her home. She had no idea what they where talking about. Now she knows. They're squatters refusing to leave.

Collins moved out of her home of 14 years last month. Days later, she discovered a squatter had settled in and refused to leave.

"She said, 'I'm not going to argue with you, but I'm not going anywhere. If you want me out you need to evict me.' That's what she said to me," Collins told Eyewitness News.

Collins was in a financial bind and to avoid foreclosure she agreed to a "deed in lieu." The mortgage company paid her $2,000 to relocate and they took possession of the home. After she moved out, the mortgage company learned someone else moved in, and even brought the family pet.

"I got a call from the mortgage company asking me had I leased out the property because there was someone living here that said that they were leasing the property from me," said Collins.

The squatter wouldn't come to the door, but claimed to Collins she filed adverse possession on the home. It's a real law, but doesn't allow for someone to just move in.

"There is such a doctrine, such a law in Texas, and if you live somewhere for 10 years adverse to somebody else's interest, you can acquire an interest in the property, but you have no right to simply live there during that period," said Richard Alderman, The People's Lawyer.

The squatter has changed the locks and is in the process of being evicted. Collins says they're not squatters, just thieves.

"I think that they are fraudulent and they are stealing a place to stay. They don't have any rightful ownership to this property. They don't have the right to be here. They saw an empty house, they took advantage of it and they just moved in," Collins said.

The mortgage company has settled with Collins and she has moved to a different area. As for the squatters, they still refuse to move out, so the mortgage company is having to legally evict them.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Squatters set up camp in historic Galveston landmark

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- It once was a great part of Galveston County, but now, residents say it's a detriment to their community. They're talking about eight crumbling military barracks just a stone's throw from the beach.

The property owner says homeless people are constantly breaking into the crumbling buildings, breaking windows and stealing items, including fencing. Nearby property owners say this isn't what they had in mind when they moved in.

When Phil and Jeanna Player purchased their dream home in Galveston three years ago they built a deck to watch the sunset on the water.

Phil said, "We'd like something that would increase the value of the property."

But their view of the barracks that were once part of Fort Crockett is not what they had in mind. The state-protected historic structures have been decaying for more than a decade, since being purchased from the Coast Guard by a private owner. It is now home to vagrants and critters who break in to stay warm.

"Anything probably would look better than that, because it has really become an eyesore," Jeanna said. "I think it is beyond where they can restore it."

That owner, Max Bowen Enterprises, is trying to sell. It sank $600,000 into the barracks to make them into apartments eight years ago, but no one wanted to live there. Now the attorney general is suing the company over the condition of the buildings. But the city says as far as local building codes go, the company is in good standing.

Ron Penn with the Galveston Code Enforcement Division said, "If we see the grass is getting a little bit high, or if maybe a board has been dislodged, we just contact the owner and they're very responsive."

Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski says there needs to be a resolution and is promising expedited permits to help turn this into something more suitable.

"Resort housing, mixed use facilities with some retail involved," Jaworski suggested. "I think the attorney general's lawsuit is probably going to force some resolution of this one way or the other and I hope they work together with the attorney general to reconcile their obligations. The city will help them."

Unfortunately, the property's owner and the Galveston Historical Foundation have differing opinions on what should be done with the buildings.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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