It’s frustrating that the news story is trying to reframe the story as the standard “can’t kick em out” trespassers stealing homes.

Instead, its more about the intersection of municipal code violations and property non-owners. If they could demonstrate that the city was being prejudiced with their application of the ordnance, that might be a reasonable battle.

Overall, it looks like the house is fuuucked, and they aren’t actually doing anything to fix it (which is a big part of adverse possession.)

There are time requirements for each state.

"Texas law provides different time limits based on the following circumstances:

Three years if the person has title or color of title, which involves a chain of property transfers that may have certain technical defects.

Five years if the person uses the land, pays property taxes, and has a deed that is properly recorded in public records.

Ten years if the person cultivates, uses, or enjoys the land, even without a recorded deed."