I am from Texas, and have recently acquired a quit claim title to a lot adjacent to mine. I have paid thirteen years back taxes, and I have done a title search myself and also have had it done profesionally, and thus obtained quit claim by surviving spouse. My problem is there have been squatters trying to claim adverse possession on the lot. However they have recently removed themselves from the lot after being turned in to TCEQ for the dumping of oil. I obtained the deed ten days after the squatters removed themselves. My question is where I need to go from here to keep them off?

Has your deed been recorded? Do any of the 'squatters' claim to have a deed? They may be trespassers and subject to criminal charges; where I live I believe you must have the property 'posted', meaning a sign in prominent places that trespassers will be prosecuted. See this: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/real-estate-law/texas-squatters-law-63523.html

Put up big Posted No Tresspassing sign in several different locations on the property and call the police if they come back.

Yes, post it and call the police, if there are buldings lock them up.

Now on the dumping of oil, you do know that if this is a EPA issue you as the owner can be held liable.

yes, post it and call the police, if there are buldings lock them up.

Now on the dumping of oil, you do know that if this is a EPA issue you as the owner can be held liable.




Tecq has been notified, I turned them in with videos and pictures and a local sheriffs report and it is now under investigation. Pics very clear as to who did what plus sherriffs dept . Took same pics and spoke to person in question,said he could do what he wanted it was his land. Deed is recorded at courthouse and 13 yrs back taxes paid in full plus todate

I see no trouble with the ownership, unless it was sold for taxes at some point, and someone has a tax certificate, but your title search would have showed that. Adverse possession is hard to prove and his moving off fairly well cancells any claim to that.

My only concern would be the oil, since they could reuire you to dig up all of the soil and have it destroyed till there is no residue left in the soil.
That is why there is high liability in buying old gas stations. I have seen them cause 100's of thousands in damages to the new buyers who did not do a EPA study prior to buying.