Chula Vista Home Buyer Battles Alleged Squatter for 10 Months

Irma Mendez says she was shocked to find a man living in a home she had just purchased, leading to a lengthy legal battle.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:10pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged door lock, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a squatting incident.A recent wave of squatting cases in San Diego highlights the challenges property owners face in removing unwanted occupants from their homes.San Diego Today

A Chula Vista real estate agent named Irma Mendez says she was shocked to discover an alleged squatter living inside a South Bay home she had just purchased. Mendez says the ordeal lasted nearly 10 months before the San Diego County Sheriff's Department was able to remove the man, during which time the property suffered significant damage.

Why it matters

Cases like Mendez's highlight the challenges property owners can face when dealing with squatters, as the legal process to remove them can take many months. This issue has become increasingly common in the San Diego area, with over 9,000 unlawful detainer cases filed in 2025 alone.

The details

When Mendez entered the boarded-up property, she said the alleged squatter used profanities and had written graffiti on the walls. Despite Mendez's attempts to resolve the situation by offering 'cash for keys,' the man refused to leave. Mendez then took the case to court, a process she said dragged on for months. It ultimately took nearly 10 months before the sheriff's department removed the man, by which time the property had suffered significant damage including trash, damaged walls, and a spray-painted slur.

  • Mendez purchased the Chula Vista home in 2025.
  • The alleged squatter moved into the home shortly after Mendez's purchase.
  • It took nearly 10 months for the sheriff's department to remove the alleged squatter.

The players

Irma Mendez

A Chula Vista real estate agent with over 20 years of experience buying and selling homes.

San Diego County Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency that ultimately removed the alleged squatter from the Chula Vista home.

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What they’re saying

“Oh my gosh, so I walked in, and first of all, he said profanities towards me that were pretty bad, I saw he wrote graffiti on the walls, and he did a lot of damage.”

— Irma Mendez, Real Estate Agent

“He just seemed too comfortable knowing that he walked into a property that was boarded up, ready for sale, and he knew, and it just seemed too casual.”

— Irma Mendez, Real Estate Agent

What’s next

Mendez has since repaired the unit and rented it out after the lengthy legal battle to remove the alleged squatter.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing issue of squatters in the San Diego area, where the legal process to remove them can take many months, leaving property owners with significant damage and financial burdens. It underscores the need for more efficient and effective solutions to address the problem of squatting.