Fe says that the Balearics are one of the regions of Spain where squatting has increased the most. In the final quarter of 2023, he points out, there was an 11% increase. Palma and Ibiza Town suffer the most, especially middle-class and working-class neighbourhoods as well as tourist areas. "The wealthiest areas have fewer squatters because there aren't the empty properties."
He is clear as to why squatting has been "booming". "It's due to the housing law and the declaration of vulnerable person that prevents eviction."
Tenants are considered vulnerable if they have lost their jobs or have experienced a substantial decrease in income of at least 40%. Vulnerability is also established if the total income of the family unit does not exceed the thresholds established by law. Tenant-squatters, he explains, pose the greatest challenge for his company.
There are different types of squatter. "Some act as if the property were theirs. They repair it, paint it; I have even come across fibre optics being installed at their request." Then there are those who rent out rooms. Others use them as drug flats or for prostitution.
Mafias, Fe says, occupy properties in order to sell them. "For 4,500 euros they sell a property. As the eviction process can last about two and a half years, it is profitable for the buyer. In Palma, you can't rent for less than 950 euros a month. That would mean an average expense of about 30,000 euros over the time it takes to recover the home. Instead, the squatter has been able to live in the property for 4,500 euros."
Estate agencies provide potential squatters with information. "This is their database, as they check on properties for sale or rent. They know that properties are empty. In no time they have the door open."
The first thing Fuera Okupas tries to do is convince squatters to leave. If they don't succeed, they put security at the door 24 hours a day so that people can't get in. The price for this complete service is 2,500 euros plus IVA (VAT), which includes the legal process, if it is necessary to resort to this. The average time it takes to recover properties is between five and six weeks.
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Stupid law and stupid people will do anything to win an election. They all lie.
Charles Dalrymple-ChumleyThe last time I was in the east end of London it was full of middle class hipster types. Most of the old east Enders have been priced out to Essex and Kent.
Richard PearsonAndrew Ede wrote a piece a few months ago about how it was the last PP government that introduced some ridiculous squatting law that has put us in the situation we are now.
Morgan WilliamsTrue. But mainly in Democrat (left/liberal) run cities and states. Which proves my point about voting with your head and not your feelings.
There aren't any squatters in the East End of London. Zero. How come? Because if you're stupid enough to break-in and squat within a few hours you'll find a trio of burly heavyweights arriving and "wanting a word." Then they'll walk you and yours out onto the street and your possessions will follow. No courts, no solicitors, no police, no months/years of waiting. Just East End justice. Job done. I'm not an advocate for people taking the law into their own hands but the East End way is a lot quicker and cheaper than going through the due legal process. Squatters have no rights save those granted to them by the authorities, as in Spain. But once they're back on the streets their "rights" are gone and they're just another pedestrian, with bags. I once had a property occupied by a tenant who refused to pay rent and tried to take possession. I went down the legal route and it took nine months. On the day of eviction the tenant was ready and willing to move out. She smiled at me as she left. She'd played the system, knew her "rights" and lived rent free for nine months. She calculated that I wasn't an EastEnder and so she was safe from physical eviction. It's a game she'll play with the next landlord and the next after that. Living rent free and supported by the law. Dystopia is on the horizon.
Yes, something needs the be done about squatting. But this isn't the only place where it's a problem. Even in the US it's rather rampant. Personally, I can't imagine how these squatting protection laws ever came into existence. It's insane.
Marvin Le MartianLess than 1 in 50 are genuine. They just want free accommodation
"Estate agencies provide potential squatters with information." Is this statement true? If so, those agencies must have their licenses withdrawn and closed down. That is an unacceptable abuse of their trusted position.
Lisa JuliaIt’s not the government which needs to show some common sense. It’s the voters. They keep voting for parties who refuse to do anything about it. One of the main culprits has a very good chance of being elected as a MEP next week. So I am afraid I have no sympathy at all for people who complain but aren’t prepared to do anything about it.
The Spanish need to take a long, hard look at their governance and laws. There’s no point blaming tourism about accommodation when there are better rights for squatters than landlords, or that the autonomo tax stifles creativity and entrepreneurialship. Their enforcement of their laws is skewed by, well I don’t know what is the best descriptor, Incompetence? Under-resourcing and mismanagement? . I don’t know enough about the crazy politics here but a lot is clear to see. No politician here seems able to nail it though, maybe because it’ll acknowledge their failing. But. Grow up. Come on. It could be so much better.