Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2023 3:07pm
I am getting in a little late on this and really hope you sorted it all out in the meantime.
My two pence of advice to everyone, particularly holiday homes owners is to get an alarm system with police callout installed by a trusted company, not advertising anyone but the nationally known three four companies offer this service with different degrees of protection and options.
The basic point is that once your alarm is installed, notified and registered with the police (In Torrevieja it's the Policia Local but any nearest patrol of other forces can intevene in case of need) in case of trigger off they will intervene within minutes and BY LAW this will be treated as a robbery in progress so they will be forcefully evicted and charged, which is why squatter gangs carefully avoid properties with registered alarms and opt for unprotected properties instead. Our area had a few cases and in each the solution was prompt whereas a couple of non alarmed properties are still occupied.
We considered all options and then opted for installing one, whereas the yearly cost may seem high at first sight (but isn't really) please consider the following points:
How much are your belongings worth and how about losing those that can't be replaced?
How long will you lose the use of your place for?
How much will legal expenses be?
How much for the repairs assuming you manage to get them out?
How much will the private mercenaries cost you?
Etc...Etc...Etc...
My answer is: much much less than the yearly cost of an alarm system, that's for sure.
Also please don't go for the fake alarm system panels, they know them....
As a last please be aware that the latest trend is apparently for these gangs to map properties for sale that are not alarmed, they are primary targets to the extent that an increasing number of sellers do not want panels put on the properties.
Hope it helps and good luck.