Squatting a house is when someone occupies a property without the owners permission. Squatters are individuals or groups who take up residence in a property without the owner’s permission. They can be found in urban and rural areas and may want affordable housing or be involved in criminal activity. Squatting is usually illegal worldwide, but squatters have legal rights under certain conditions, such as openly squatting or claiming adverse possession. Adverse possession is a legal concept that allows a person to claim ownership of a property if they have occupied it for a certain period of time and met specific requirements. In Texas, for example, a squatter seeking adverse possession must have a physical presence at the property and treat the property like the actual owner would. To make an adverse possession claim, a squatter must live on the property continuously for at least 10 years. Squatting is different from trespassing, which is often viewed as a criminal offense. Squatting only becomes trespassing once the actual property owner has filed for the squatter’s removal with the relevant authorities.