How a Resident of Lubbock, Texas Can Prevent Illegal Occupants from Taking Over Their Property

In recent days, some videos of “illegal occupants” who have unlawfully taken over other people’s properties have gone viral. For this reason, a major local media outlet interviewed some real estate agents in the city of Lubbock, and they reported that these incidents are frequent in the city.

The agents interviewed, who belong to the Lubbock Association of Realtors, report that although the problem has not increased recently, several of these cases are recorded annually, especially when there is an increase in the number of foreclosures.

Oscar Armendariz, a board member of the Lubbock Association of Realtors and a property manager, stated that this phenomenon is quite common, especially in properties that become vacant after a foreclosure process or for some similar reason.

Michael Hutton, president of the Lubbock Association of Realtors, also mentioned that he himself experienced a situation where someone entered his property, as he discovered that the door had been forced open and upon entering, he noticed clear signs that someone had spent the night there. Undoubtedly, vacant houses, neglected gardens, and properties that appear uninhabited attract people seeking shelter, whether to escape the cold or because they have nowhere else to stay, Hutton commented.

Oscar Armendariz advises that if you arrive at your property and suspect someone is inside, an important point is to be as loud as possible to alert the intruders of your presence, and immediately contact the local police.

In an interview with Sergeant Steven Bergen of the Crime Prevention Unit of the Lubbock Police Department, he commented, “As a police department, we take it very seriously when people do not have permission to be on someone’s property.”

Finally, Armendariz advises that property owners should ensure their property is well-maintained, even if it is vacant, to deter illegal occupants. To do this, regularly check your home, put up signs that say “No Trespassing,” raise the blinds, or leave a light on occasionally.

Available Foreclosures:

Lubbock: 15 homes available.

Martin County: 3 homes available.

By Elías DaSilva | 24 de octubre de 2024.