Woman Says Squatters Took Over Her House With A Fake Lease, Changed The Locks

They refuse to leave, and the owner cannot force them out without evicting them through local court.

Squatters have been living in a Houston woman’s home for a month, and they refuse to leave, claiming they have a lease and pay rent. Photo by Trinity Nguyen on Unsplash

A Houston, Texas, woman claims her rental home has been taken over by squatters who drew up a fake lease. New York Post reports that the squatters changed the locks and refuse to leave as they have a contract for the property and have paid rent.

Linda Giang visited her rental property last month and found a family living in her home. The lease listed another owner as the landlord, with the squatters listed as the renters. Giang went to check on the property after receiving a notice from the homeowners association asking her to clear leaves from the driveway.

When she entered the home, the property owner noticed that the squatters had air mattresses on the floor and had changed the locks twice since Giang discovered they were living in her rental property.

“They broke into my house. They’re trespassing,” said Giang. “That should be a criminal trespass. They’re violating my privacy. This is my property.”