Residents said a group of squatters has taken over a home at 702 Waverly in recent months, creating ongoing concerns about safety and sanitation.
Court and property records show the Waverly Street home has belonged to the Windom family since the 1970s. It is currently listed as being owned by the estate of Claudie Windom, who died in 2020. The property has been tied up in probate court for years as heirs work to settle the estate.
However, the man currently living inside the home told a very different story. When ABC13 visited the house on Monday, a man who identified himself as Jonathan De La Garza insisted he purchased the property.
"You say you're not squatting - you bought the property?" ABC13 asked.
"I bought the property," De La Garza responded.
When asked who sold it to him, he said, "Stock market, investments. With my investments." He declined to say how much he paid, calling that information private.
However, public records do not reflect any sale of the home. It also reflects that back taxes have not been paid, even though De La Garza said he paid the taxes.
When ABC13 asked Heights-area realtor Bill Baldwin to review the documents, he said there is no record of a transfer of ownership, and significant back taxes remain unpaid.
"They are, just so we're clear, almost $51,000 in delinquent taxes currently," Baldwin said. "It's not a little number. It's a big number for someone living in the house without electricity."
Neighbors said they've repeatedly contacted the city about the situation.
"It feels kind of ridiculous, actually, that the police can't just - I mean, they're trespassing," neighbor Tricia Bell said.
Records show Houston police have been called to the home nine times in the past three months. However, because the property remains tied up in probate among multiple heirs, there is currently no clear legal owner able to file a formal trespassing complaint, limiting what law enforcement can do.
"What I think is frustrating is that we can't resolve the problem," neighbor Rick Miller said.
Despite his name not appearing on any property records, De La Garza and others continue living at the Waverly home, apparently without city services.
"There's no electricity, no water?" ABC13 asked.
"I got a generator," De La Garza said. "And I called for the water (to be turned on.) I don't know what's wrong with those people."
Experts say it can be difficult, if not impossible, to establish water service on a property that is not legally in your name.
An attorney representing one of the heirs told ABC13 they are working to complete the necessary legal paperwork so ownership can be officially transferred, which could clear the way for action.
Until then, neighbors say they remain stuck with an unresolved and growing problem.
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