Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Texas
I have property in Dripping Springs in Austin Texas. I haven't been out to the property in almost 5 years. When I did go to check my property I found that someone had built a storage shed on my property. What are my rights? What can I do?
2 Answers from Attorneys
This is one that cannot be answered briefly. However, a good place to start is to read these articles:
http://recenter.tamu.edu/pdf/1152.pdf
http://recenter.tamu.edu/pdf/1334.pdf
Contact the owner in writing and notify them they do not have permission and they need to move the structure. Fences are a good decision. No trespassing signs help. All this is good but you need to check out your property on a regular basis to make sure storage sheds, houses etc are not put up. Also make sure they are not paying the taxes.
While the articles are old, they gives you a good foundation on the issues that you can build upon by doing a little more research.
It looks like the "squatter" is setting him/herself up to acquire your property via adverse possession. Time is not on your side, but it isn't too late to protect your interest. Please do so immediately.