It comes after some homeowners have found squatters in their properties after putting them up for sale while others have found squatters in their accommodation while visiting on holiday. Desokupación Mallorca (Eviction Majorca) works with homeowners to get squatters off their premises. The company currently has four foreign EU citizens who have hired their services.
Manager Sergio Cacho said his clients are becoming « very worried » about the worsening issue. However, it is not easy to solve and can often be costly.
As reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin, Sergio said: « A German television station and two newspapers have called me about the problem, which may give an idea of how much concern this issue is in Germany. They are very worried. »
Sergio continued: « They want to regain their property, but eviction procedures in Spain are not quick. We have clients who have their property for sale only to discover there are squatters, and others who find out there are squatters when they come on holiday and end up putting it up for sale.
« The higher the value of the property, the more difficult it is to reach an agreement with the squatters. Our service costs 2,650 euros for a standard apartment, including legal services, but if we’re talking about a villa, the rate may go up to 5,500 euros.
« There are squatters who leave immediately if they see they might get a fine and a criminal record, but the better the house, the more they cling to it. Living as a squatter in a house without electricity or water and risking ending up with a criminal record isn’t the same as living in a luxury villa. »
It was previously reported that Spanish authoritites were only high alert following the takeover of hotels by squatters. The popular Sol y Mar Aparthotel in Cala Bona was overrun at the end of January.
This sparked fears that the squatters set a precedent for other establishments throughout Majorca. The Guardia Civil and police forces believed that the Cala Bona Case was an example of a ‘gypsy clan’ moving in without the intention of living there permanently,
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