Squatters Took Over Our House In Spain! Dream Home Turned Into a Nightmare

Squatters Invaded Our New Home in Spain!

[@SinaSooresrafil]

Well worth all of the complications and hassles. Can’t wait to see how it’ll turn out!

[@bengom5839]

Oh wow, Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing this with us. This was eye-opening!

[@alitajaddodi8211]

good

[@timsretirementjourney8323]

What a nightmare situation. I'm glad it was resolved quickly and without indecent. My wife and I are back in Canada for the warmer months while our condo in the Philippines sits empty, ... and in the past I've envisioned what it would be like to get back and find someone else living in our place. Really I feel pretty secure with guards on duty as well as CCTV cameras on each floor, but I suppose it's not something that would be 100% impossible.

[@LateJuly.]

Thank you for your comment! It was definitely a nightmare situation for us, but we’re so relieved that it was resolved quickly and without any serious issues. I totally get what you mean about the concern when leaving a property empty for a while. Having security and CCTV cameras in place certainly helps, but as you said, it’s not always 100% foolproof. It’s a strange feeling knowing how things can change when you’re away, but thankfully, situations like these are not super common. Hopefully, your condo stays as secure as it sounds, and you never have to face something like this!

[@shivarahimipiano]

Squatters in Spain are common occurrence! It is my worst fear that my property gets squatted in Spain especially since squatters have more rights than owners and are protected by laws.

[@LateJuly.]

@@shivarahimipiano I completely understand your concern-it’s a very real fear for many property owners in Spain. We’ve learned a lot through our experience, and it’s definitely frustrating how the laws seem to favor squatters. While it’s a common issue, there are steps you can take to protect your property, like getting to know your neighbors, installing security systems, and keeping the property well-maintained. It’s not easy, but staying informed and proactive can make a big difference. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@shivarahimipiano]

@@LateJuly. Thank you for your reply! Our property is equipped with alarm system, so if someone breaks in, I get notification right away. However, I fear to leave the property vacant for long periods of time because if we are away - let's say back in Canada visiting family - it would be hard to come back and report to the police within 48 hours of the break-in. Also, we're afraid of renting out property in Spain since renters can become squatters when they stop paying rent. The court process to evict them can take years, and, during this time, you, as the owner, are responsible to pay for their utilities, which is beyond ridiculous. I wish I knew more about Spain and these issues before we moved out here. But I guess these are all life lessons.

[@LateJuly.]

@@shivarahimipiano you shouldn’t be that worried. If you want to leave for a long time I would suggest you to appoint someone you trust to act on your behalf, such as a lawyer or a property manager. Before leaving your property for an extended period, consider appointing a lawyer or trusted individual as your legal representative with the power to act on your behalf. This person can handle any emergency situations, including reporting to the police within the 48-hour window. Also Work with your alarm monitoring company to establish a clear protocol. If the alarm is triggered, they should notify both you and your appointed representative immediately. This allows the representative to act swiftly if you’re unavailable.