Nexonr has received reports that several families are «squatting» in a holiday home owned by a British man on the road between Calasparra town and La Florida.
The owner was alerted to the situation by a neighbour who looks after his olives and flew out immediately. However, his attempts and a visit by three cars full of Guardia Civil officers have not deterred the squatters who refuse to move.
The property was not alarmed and the owner had not been able to visit for two years due to the Covid epidemic and as a consequence the garden was overgrown.
The situation with squatters in Spain is complicated and if you have a holiday home you may risk being «squatted».
Here is some basic advice for holiday home owners which may help to avoid this situation or rectify the situation if it happens to you.
Firstly, the first 48 hours are crucial in a squatting situation. If the situation is reported to the Guardia Civil within 48 hours they can legally evict any persons illegally inside the property on «breaking and entering» and/or «robbery» charges. So if you have an alarm and your alarm company calls the police and reports a break in, anyone illegally inside your holiday home can be evicted.
Secondly, squatters have rights in Spain. For example you are not allowed to cut off the electricity or water to your property once there are squatters inside.
Thirdly, if 48 hours have passed and the squatters refuse to move you should you will probably need a court order to get them out. However, you should immediately:-
Report the matter to the local police.
Make a «denuncia» at the Guarda Civil.
Employ a solicitor to get a court order to evict the squatters. (Make sure the solicitor is qualified to deal with such matters).
In order to try and avoid squatters in your holiday home the Guardia Civil advise that you install an alarm with a connection to the local police.
It may also deter squatters if your home looks lived in so consider employing somone local to tend your garden and switch lights on and off, park their car outside etc.
Unfortunately, by the time the law takes it course and the squatters are legally evicted your property and any belongings inside it may be trashed so ensure you have adequate insurance.
Nexonr staff would like to express their sympathy for the victim of this latest squatting incident in Calasparra and our hopes that the situation will be resolved as rapidly as possible.
