Housing: Property invasion is on the rise, experts warn

Mexico City faces a worrying increase in cases of invasion and dispossession of properties, a crime that, according to specialists, is not about spontaneous occupations of homeless people, but about actions organized by criminal groups.

The lawyer and specialist in real estate and testamentary matters, Miguel Saucedowarned that these groups identify properties that have not paid the tax buildingabandoned homes or properties that are not deeded, with the aim of seizing them illegally.

“Unfortunately, this crime is not an invasion of homeless people into an empty property because they have nowhere to live, but rather it is about perfectly organized criminal groups that, on occasion, have a relationship with government officials in Mexico City or in other states. They obtain copies of deeds, alter documents or voter credentials to impersonate people and, with this, seek to take over properties not to live in, but with the intention to later sell them to third parties illegally,” Saucedo explained in an interview.

According to data from the capital’s Prosecutor’s Office, in 2024, 3,800 complaints were registered for property dispossession, a figure that reflects the magnitude of the problem. The specialist attributes the increase in this crime to the slowness of judicial and fiscal procedures, as well as the corruption that, he assured, persists in some instances.

Article 395 of the Federal Penal Code establishes that anyone who seizes or uses a property without the authorization of its owner can receive a sentence of three months to five years in prison.which makes it clear that the law contemplates sanctions for those who commit this type of crime.

To reduce the risk of invasion, Saucedo recommended that owners keep all documentation proving ownership of the property up to date. “If it was inherited from you, make your allotment, pay your taxes, write it down and keep your property title. If you are the owner and you bought it, invest in your deed. Don’t invest in a trip, invest in your deed because it is your heritage,” he indicated. The deed must be public before a notary and registered in the public property registry, a requirement that, according to the specialist, reduces the probability of invasion by between 50 and 60 percent.

In addition, the specialist advises keeping property and water supply payments up to date and carrying out the necessary maintenance. “Do not leave the home alone. If you have it for investment or for some reason do not occupy it, look for someone to live there or use it constantly, whether it is a family member or a tenant, so that there is movement,” he stressed.

In the event that a property has already been invaded, Saucedo recommended immediately filing a criminal complaint with the public ministry, accompanied by all documentation proving ownership, and going to a lawyer specialized in real estate. “Do not try to recover the property on your own. A trial for dispossession can take two to three years, but it is the correct legal path to protect the heritage,” he concluded.

The alert about the growing invasion of properties reinforces the need for owners to inform themselves and protect their assets, while the authorities advance in the investigation and punishment of these criminal practices.

The Universal

Avoid illegal occupation of your home

• Keep the documentation in order: Make sure you have a public deed, award and updated registration in the Public Property Registry.
• Pay taxes and services: Timely cover property taxes, water supply and other services, as well as keep any tax obligations up to date.
• Occupy or monitor the home: Prevent the property from being uninhabited; rent it, lend it to family members or ensure that someone uses it regularly.
• Carry out periodic maintenance: Keep the home in good condition to demonstrate occupation and care of the property.
• Act legally in the face of threats: If there is an attempted invasion, file an immediate criminal complaint and go to a real estate lawyer, avoiding recovery on your own.

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