Warning to all Communites in the area.

That is very concerning and it makes me wonder why so many Brits want to live in the area. Unfortuunately in regard to squatters or ocupas as they are called in Spain. The police seems to be hamstrung by the very unhelpful laws regarding this matter. They can do exactly what they like, commit criminal damage, steal water, electricity and bring the neighbourhood down, but if you don't have your mask on you'll get a fine. Something is seriously wrong.

A friend of mine who lives further south bought a lovely villa in need of a re-design. She employed the services of an architect who she paid handsomely, he was also supposed to do all the licence applications for the building work. 12 months later she has be given several fines amounting to15.000€ as no plans or licenses were applied for. The Council was not interested even though she had a signed contract.  Now  she has to go through lengthy court proceedings and pay more to bring the architect to court.

Thank you for this post. As a president, it is worrying for me. We only have one bank owned property which has been empty for 12 years, so fortunately is in no fit state to live in. However, if the bank ever starts work on it, I don’t see how the community could protect it. We would be trespassing if we touched anything. There has got to be a solution to this problem. The coast is full of holiday homes that are unoccupied for long periods of time, particularly now with the COVID situation, and the 90/180 day ruling for Brits. At least posts like yours will help us all to be alert.

Hi Sheila

They seem to go for the bank owned properties more than owner occupied or holiday homes as they do look more lived in. I think they look on the internet and find them especialy if they come up for sale as is the case on mine. There are several sites for bank owned or bank re-possesions.

They know every trick there is. If the place has been empty they don't worry about that, ours were never sold from the start that's 16 years ago. We now have 3, 1 house and 2 apartments. Hidraqua came out 4 times with a police guard to cut off the supply on the house, every time they broke off the lock on cabinet and the supply pipe and connected themselves back up. Iberdrola never came out once. The system of water and electricity supply does not help either. Banks of meters in outside cabinets, that anyone can get to if they have a mind, totally ridiculous. They are not stealing from the Community or any owner, just the utility companies. They don't seem to care. We are probably covering their losses out of what law abing people pay every month. It drives me crazy, the injustice is astounding. The Administrators can't do anything. Sometimes I wonder what we pay for.

If you have a scruffy looking empty property, I would advise you gather some help from your community tidy it up and if it doesn't have an outside light fitted. I would get one even if its not on, the fact that a light is fitted and not just a wire hanging out looks better. Or fit a solar light/lights. Un-occupied homes are a dead giveaway. Do not identify where your community is on this site or any other similar sites. We don't know who has signed up to this forum. I hope my posts have helped and if you are not a President but have seen this post, please let all Presidents know.

They go for bank owned properties and are gangs who are very clued up about the law, because they cannot be removed as quickly as with privately owned properties, the law is that if the squatters cannot prove ownership of the house and provide documents than they can be evicted within 5 days  ha ha!   Bank owned properties are targeted because the owner will not be returning home and the banks do not take legal action against them to be evicted.

I am the President and I have plenty of evidence. The damage these squatters are causing to our community and property is terrible.

Your comments are not welcome. I was trying to be helpful. You clearly have no experience of these issues, if you had you'd have more understanding.