Expats In Spain Threatened By Rise In Illegal Squatters Targeting Homes Expats In Spain Threatened By Rise In Illegal Squatters Targeting Homes

Expats in Spain are now being warned over an increase in squatters knowledgeable about their legal rights.

The increase in illegal squatters is taking place in many areas popular with expat retirees, and is becoming a very real threat to their lifestyles and overall safety. It seems squatting in now becoming a well-organised racket led by belligerent illegals who’re fully aware of their rights and have crooked lawyers backing them up. Some areas are now almost no-go for expat home owners, with Alicante one of the worst affected cities.

A string of reports of illegal occupation in Formentera del Segura and Calpe has raised the Spanish police’s awareness of the issue, with several local forces now attempting to tackle the problem. The increase in incidents came in spite of the new law passed in July which attempts to make it easier to regain properties unlawfully occupied by these criminals. As a result of the new ruling, expat property owners and renters are now able to regain their properties within five days of reporting the squatters.

Unfortunately, local courts have been going easy on squatters who are also illegal immigrants, with producing ID no longer a requirement prior to court proceedings and the provision of eviction notices. As a result, squatters are upping the anti by targeting repossessed or bank-owned properties, located via online searches and totalling many thousands of empty homes. Banks, it seems, are reluctant to take legal action for repossession, and holiday homes owned by would-be expats are another suitable target.