Costa Del Sol Expats Rally Round Homeless Brit Expat Pensioner

Britishers are rallying round a 72-year old homeless expat in Fuengirola after he was discovered to have been unable to remove rent-free tenants from his apartment home.

British expat Patrick O’Loughlin was found to be sleeping out on benches in Fuengirola’s airport and train station, even although he’d inherited the home he’d shared with his Finnish wife when she died eight years ago. Dozens of well-wishers sent messages of support when his plight was published in local media, with several offering to put him up until his legal battle with the tenants was resolved. One kind lawyer offered to translate his documents from English into Spanish by his court date on Friday, and a debt collector said he’d be happy to ensure Patrick’s home was vacated should the tenant refuse to leave.

An eviction notice had been sent to the tenant in February, with Patrick able to provide evidence he owns the apartment and stating the case has been taking too long, especially as he’s suffering from high blood pressure. Under Finnish law, Patrick would be allowed to stay in the matrimonial home until he died. Reporters from the Olive Press, a respected English language media outlet aimed at Brit expats in Spain, visited the apartment last week, but no-one answered the door. The tenant’s boyfriend told reporters Patrick kept arriving at the property unannounced and being aggressive towards her. He added she’s terrified of him and is under police protection as criminal charges are proceeding.

When asked about Patrick’s rights as regards his home, the boyfriend said he’s not an expat in Spanish law and doesn’t know about Finnish law, but knows the apartment is still held in Patrick’s dead wife’s name. According to Patrick, when he tried to gain entry to his home last week he was attacked by a man, punched several times and then arrested when the police showed up. He was taken before a judge, who gave him until today to prove his ownership of the apartment. According to the tenant’s boyfriend, who is believed to be living as a lodger in the apartment, no-one has attacked Mr O'Laughlin at any time to the best of his knowledge. At the present time, the Olive Press is awaiting comments from local police.