Advice please

Squatters are a problem in parts of Spain. The law is on their side especially if they have children.

The law was altered slightly a while back and if the police can get there within 48 hours they can evict them. After that it becomes a civil matter in Spain and it can take years to go through the process of removal.

If you have a very good neighbour who can keep an eye on the place they can inform the police of their suspicions. This is a very difficult thing to do all the time, though.

If you have a monitored alarm system, like Securitas, they can inform the police immediately unauthorised access is noted and hopefully get them out quickly.

I would think anyone have a holiday home should have some type of system which can alert the police straight away. Even one you fit and monitor remotely at home would be preferable but you would need to be able to inform the police yourself and hope the internet system remains active. 

For peace of mind I think a monitoring company would be the way to go. Prosegura is another company but you could look round for the deals. I

Many thanks for replying Marcliff  thats very helpful

Martina

Neither La Mata nor apartment blocks is reqoned to be particularly popular among squatters (not that they are immuninazed though), which make your post a little bit concerning. This of course because it may indicate that the problem is getting worse. Do you know if there has been an increase in reports lately?  This problem is on all our minds I believe, whether we leave for months or just a few weeks holiday.

It will cost you roughly the same as a cup of coffee per day to have the alarm system with Securitas, we wouldnt be without ours.

👍

Securitas and others offer alam devices and by no means effective protection. Once squatter have gained access (in less than 3 minutes), only the legal owner in person can obtain an order of eviction from a court which can ake months or even years.. Meanwhile the squatters can  dispose of the inventory  and ruin everything. 

The law was changed a while ago

"If the illegal occupiers arrived in the last 48 hours the police can remove them without requiring a warrant"

After that 48 hours it requires a court order of eviction which can, as you say, take a long time and even years. That first 48 hours is the most critical.

Hello

 Did you get more info from Securitas & have the 'reports of squatters' been confirmed?

Cheers

Elinspain

Hi - It was our Management Company that emailed all residents to alert us that there are squatters in the building.

Martina

Hi - our management company advised all residents that squatters are in the building so a lot of owners are now having monitoring/security systems by Securitas.

Martina