Squatters - Page 4

Karen204 wrote on Fri Aug 20, 2021 5:51pm:

Oh really.  The more I learn the worse it is.    My squatter is known locally and had stated that he would move on, of his own accord.   However, instead of this, he is trying to contract cable TV and now has another 3rd party living in my house with him.  I assume h...

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...e is renting out one of my bedrooms.   The legal route can take in excess of 12 months.  It is so depressing and so unfair.  And yes, I continue to pay all utility bills, etc.  By law, I have to. 

Further down the street a squatter broke into another house already occupied by a different  squatter.  I don't know how that was resolved. I believe there was a fight.    It seems to be a free for all, with the police protecting the criminals.   What a corrupt country.  I shall sell  up, just as soon as I can.  I wouldn't wish this situation on anyone.  

Really appreciate your comments. 

Karen 

MiniZukini wrote on Sat Aug 21, 2021 1:21pm:

I'm so sorry to hear about all your troubles. But if you can't get the house back and the Police refuse to help maybe social media?If people in Spain and Europe in general realize what the Spanish government has done by their inability to pass laws protecting property owners they might not be wil...

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...ling to buy anymore or they might not vote for this government next time round. But then again that might backfire if you want to sell. I don't know what to suggest;/ good luck!

Karen204 wrote on Sun Aug 22, 2021 11:54am:

I know - it's a tricky one.  I am considering all avenues, but have yet to find anyone with a success story.  Thank you for your comments though. 

Keith001 wrote on Sun Aug 22, 2021 12:18pm:

Karen 

I've just raised a complaint to the British Consulate Of Alicante. Maybe the more complaints they get , the more likely the British Government will advise people not to buy properties in Spain until the squatter laws are toughened up and fit for purpose. The only thing that will make the Spanish ...

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...Govt act is 'money' or loss of foreign investment in the property and rental market.

This won't help you and I in the short term but we've got to start somewhere to reverse these terrible laws.

MiniZukini wrote on Sun Aug 22, 2021 12:48pm:

That's right. Brits in particular are a huge group of real estate buyers in Spain. British consulate might be the way to go! They might actually do something in that respect. Advising not to buy until the bureaucrats in Madrid sort this mess out might be a great idea!

Karen204 wrote on Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:59pm:

Can anyone offer any advice on how to deal with squatters?  I understand the formal eviction process route can take 12 months.   Anyone successfully evicted their squatters?  Who did you use?   Advice sought urgently.  Many thanks

Pix Elated wrote on Thu Aug 26, 2021 7:26am:

There is a news item about squatters in Spain on the BBC news website, it's in "top stories" 

Titled The Hard Men removing squatters in Spain.

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If anyone is interested.

Keith001 wrote on Thu Aug 26, 2021 12:27pm:

This is shockingly bad - it looks like Spain is on the verge of anarchy.

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The lawyer says: "The legal system isn't working, so owners are paying squatters to get out immediately - it's something I would do too"

The criminals says:  "It's so much easier than robbing a bank, according to a man who claims to be a career criminal."

"I break in on a Friday. The following Monday, I call the bank and say, 'Hey you guys, I'm in your flat, and I'm going to destroy it. I can send you pictures if you like.' And the people from the bank say, 'Whoa - we're sending someone to see you.' And then that person comes and negotiates the price."

Javier says he can make around 10,000 or 12,000 euros each time.

"The ransom depends on the quality of the flat. If it's worth one or two million euros, then they pay you more."

He claims to have broken into around 50 properties in the last year.

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Another of Javier's scams is to change the locks of empty apartments, then sell the keys for 1,000 or 1,200 euros to impoverished people who struggle to pay a market rent - a group that has grown in size since the start of the pandemic.

"Most people buying the keys do so knowing that the seller is not the owner of the property," says lawyer Santi Ventalló.

"They buy the keys knowing the law is soft, the legal system is collapsed, and they're going to be able to stay at least one or two years."

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The Barcelona councillor seems to have a pro-squatter attitude

Lucía Martín rejects the charge that Catalonia's squatter-friendly policies might encourage extortionists like the young men who occupied Michael Regan's flat in Sitges, or the former bank robber who claims he makes thousands of euros from demanding ransoms from property owners.

"It's a fallacy to think the mafias are going to disappear if we make squatting laws harsher," she says. "The criminals are taking advantage of a real problem, which is the lack of affordable housing."

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How can Lucia Martin think that outlawing squatters won't stop mafias ? Maybe so , but at least the legal system will be on our side rather than theirs.

Keith001 wrote on Thu Aug 26, 2021 12:27pm:

This is shockingly bad - it looks like Spain is on the verge of anarchy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read more...

The lawyer says: "The legal system isn't working, so owners are paying squatters to get out immediately - it's something I would do too"

The criminals says:  "It's so much easier than robbing a bank, according to a man who claims to be a career criminal."

"I break in on a Friday. The following Monday, I call the bank and say, 'Hey you guys, I'm in your flat, and I'm going to destroy it. I can send you pictures if you like.' And the people from the bank say, 'Whoa - we're sending someone to see you.' And then that person comes and negotiates the price."

Javier says he can make around 10,000 or 12,000 euros each time.

"The ransom depends on the quality of the flat. If it's worth one or two million euros, then they pay you more."

He claims to have broken into around 50 properties in the last year.

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Another of Javier's scams is to change the locks of empty apartments, then sell the keys for 1,000 or 1,200 euros to impoverished people who struggle to pay a market rent - a group that has grown in size since the start of the pandemic.

"Most people buying the keys do so knowing that the seller is not the owner of the property," says lawyer Santi Ventalló.

"They buy the keys knowing the law is soft, the legal system is collapsed, and they're going to be able to stay at least one or two years."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Barcelona councillor seems to have a pro-squatter attitude

Lucía Martín rejects the charge that Catalonia's squatter-friendly policies might encourage extortionists like the young men who occupied Michael Regan's flat in Sitges, or the former bank robber who claims he makes thousands of euros from demanding ransoms from property owners.

"It's a fallacy to think the mafias are going to disappear if we make squatting laws harsher," she says. "The criminals are taking advantage of a real problem, which is the lack of affordable housing."

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How can Lucia Martin think that outlawing squatters won't stop mafias ? Maybe so , but at least the legal system will be on our side rather than theirs.