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It is illegal in Texas for you to forcibly remove a squatter from your property. Instead, you need to follow the regular judicial eviction process to remove them and regain possession of your property. Removal of a squatter is only legal when conducted by a law enforcement officer with a valid court order. Start by serving the squatter on your property with a 3-Day Notice to Vacate. You can use this notice in case the squatter (or a tenant) has failed to make the necessary rent payments to live on your property. If the three days pass without any resolve, you can file an eviction lawsuit with your county’s court. On average, an eviction lawsuit takes around 2-3 weeks to reach a resolution. The squatter does have the legal means to oppose the eviction., but it's unlikely that the court will rule against you if the squatter holds no valid claim to the property.  If a squatter vacates or is eventually evicted, they may leave behind some personal items (or destroy the inside of your home). As the property owner, you have to inventory their personal property and store any valuable items. Then you must serve them another written notice to retrieve their property within a reasonable time period, such as thirty days. When this reasonable time period ends, and the squatter has failed to show up and retrieve their possessions, the property is now considered legally abandoned. In this case, you can discard these items on your own terms. 

 Disclaimer: This blog should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney in Texas. As laws frequently change, this post might not be updated at the time of your reading. We are NOT a legal company, so please consult your attorney for any legal advise.

 Prevention of the problem is better than dealing with it after the fact. The following are steps that can help protect your Texas property while it’s vacant:

• Visit your vacant property regularly (SP Servies - is what we do) During these visits, make sure to clear collect mail, and clean up the yard. This will make the property look cared for even if empty, thus deterring unwanted occupancy. 
• Cut off all amenities. This will make your property uninhabitable, discouraging squatters from occupying it. (SP Servies - is what we do) 
• Ask your neighbors to be vigilant and report to you any suspicious activity. (SP Servies - is what we do)
• Entry points are inaccessible.  A squatter can claim legal rights if they entered open or previously compromised entry points. (SP Servies - is what we do) 
• Consider taking your property’s security up a notch by investing in intruder alarms and security cameras. (SP Servies - is what we do) 
• Make sure the property’s perimeter is secure. Consider adding gates or fencing. (SP Servies - is what we do) 
• Hire a professional residential property management company to help you find a tenant for your vacant property. A good property management company can also help you manage tenants once they’ve signed the lease agreement. (SP Servies - is what we do)