The Issue of Squatters on Mallorca

25 February 2021

I am not a victim. I am an angry survivor. ~ Nina Badwen

According to the local press, the problem of squatters has diminished slightly in the last year since the pioneer ruling in the Balearics by the local Attorney General that allows, under certain clear circumstances, removing squatters by police without any judicial intervention. Mallorca Diario cited 13 cases between March and May. Given the economic desperation of many due to COVID19, this number is surprisingly low.

Some people though, think that the official complaints have actually diminished, not only because the new ruling is effective, but because owners are resorting to other methods to remove squatters.

Ocupas photo by mallorca diario min

Photo credit: Mallorca Diario

Understanding the Terminology #

The word for squatters in Spanish is really “Ocupas”, meaning occupiers. However, the term is often spelled as “Okupas” with a “k” instead of the proper spelling to denote an anarchist influence. There are as many types of squatters as there are reasons for squatting. There are disenfranchised families that need a roof over their heads, there are delinquent drug users that need a place to continue their lifestyle and there are angry anti-system squatters that do not believe in the concept of private property - or a combination.

It is important to understand that there are also two types: forced entry into a primary or secondary residence (“allanamiento de morada”) or usurpation of an uninhabited dwelling (“ocupación de vivienda no habitada”). Many squatters target empty bank properties, while others choose residences that are temporarily unoccupied because they are personal vacation homes or the owners leave - even for a few days on vacation.

Basic house mallorca

Organized Squatting #

Just as there are professional companies for hire that will remove squatters, there are also organizations that scout out possible properties for squatting. They change the locks and charge the new occupants for their service.

You would think that squatters that enter a fully furnished home would enjoy the luxuries and want to keep their new surroundings clean and tidy. This is rarely the case. Usually the homes are destroyed with missing doors, windows, furniture, graffiti and outrageous electricity, telephone and water bills that the owner has to pay. Anarchist and delinquent squatters rotate from property to property, taking with them your furniture and appliances.

Depending on how long the “okupas” have had access to the property, you may find four people living in your house, but actually this is the 2nd or 3rd set of four people having rotated through. This squatting tactic assures that when police arrive, they can simply say they found the place already in disarray.

Abandoned living room

Insult to Injury #

Depending on your personal financial situation the problem will be more, or less, painful. People with a strong financial situation will be able to find a place to rent for the 2-4 months it can take to legally remove squatters from their residence, have the cash to pay the utility bills generated by the squatters stay and advance the repair and paint costs, while insurance companies sort out what they may (or may not) be willing to pay out on the policy.

The Root of the Problem #

Elevating private property as sacred and inviolable, in a capitalist parliamentary monarchy like Spain, is somewhat attenuated because the law ALSO protects the right of citizens to demand decent housing. These two “rights” are at odds in the case of squatting. For deep historical political reasons, the country is seeing extremism on both ends of the political spectrum, giving rise to anarchist ideology getting put into practice. Drugs and tough economic conditions also do not help. Squatting saw a sharp rise during the 2008 economic crisis.

On the flip side, there is no denying that housing in Mallorca is unattainable because 1 in 3 people on this island live in a home that is not their own. Housing prices are too high for average wage earners on the island. This is the #1 region in Spain with the lowest home ownership rates.

The Balearics also have a high rate of unused homes. In 2018 the government said they would raise taxes on more than 72,000 empty homes. They also went after 45 banks and big real estate holdings by declaring that they will expropriate empty dwellings in the next 7 years to give housing to the poor.

There is no denying that the entry point for the housing market in Mallorca is unattainable for young professionals, the elderly and most everyone - except expats. Mallorca´s most prevalent property buyers are international. Over 28% are not Spanish purchasers.

Older couple

Everyone Suffers #

The owners are obviously the most affected by squatters. Sometimes they are extorted to pay the culprits to recuperate their own home! Arguably, insurance companies gain client enemies when the contents insurance contract language saves them a policy payout. The police feel powerless because immediate eviction is not always possible. In the case of apartments, the community suffers as disrespectful mysterious neighbours throw parties, rotate tenants, sell drugs and tag the building with graffiti. Socialist politicians feel like they are protecting the poor from homelessness, but in actuality the majority of the “okupas” are non-voting anarchists anyway. There is no argument that all island residents deserve decent housing, but does it make sense that this is at the expense of a property tax payer?

Home security system

Some Tips to Prevent Squatters in Your Home #

  • Some Facebook sites recommend hiring thugs or using vengeful tactics. Some suggest staking- out the comings and goings of the squatters to take advantage of their absence. At that point, you change your locks again, get your four largest friends to sleep overnight for a week and never leave the home unoccupied. The problem with this, is that it can back-fire. Okupas are known to videotape scenes of owners using threats and tirades - which can in turn get YOU arrested.
  • Because it is illegal for you to shut off utilities and use other forms of coercion, another option is to hire companies like the famous www.desokupa.com that understand the proper legal pressure tactics to drive squatters out of your house.
  • Do not keep your home title “escritura” at a residence. Having this readily available for the police is crucial to show your ownership.
  • Everyone agrees that installing an alarm system resolves a huge part of the squatting issue in Mallorca. The squatter intrusion is automatically categorized as “breaking and entering”. By notifying the police immediately of the break-in, the aforementioned Balearic instruction that only requires a written police report can kick into gear for an immediate eviction (and even arrests). This also takes away the insurance companies excuses and squabbles over language in the home insurance policy.
  • There seems to be a pattern of squatters homing in on properties owned by the elderly or people with severe health problems who have to be absent from their apartment or house for prolonged medical treatment and lack the emotional and physical strength to stand up against intruders. To reduce the risk of your home being taken over at such difficult times, it’s a good idea to have a friend or relative come checking your place regularly or even move in during the time of your absence.
  • Inform yourself ahead of time of actions you are NOT legally allowed take if you discover squatters.
  • “In my opinion, looking back on how I could have avoided squatters in my home, the simplest solution would have been making friends with my neighbours and organizing an informal “neighbourhood watch” agreement. My neighbours have suffered almost as much as my family with the squatter delinquency going on at our address in Palma. We have lived there for years. It is a nice neighbourhood. Why didn't I get to know my neighbours better?” - (Wishes to remain anonymous until court proceedings finalize).
People in plaza in spain

Sources

#Mallorca #Majorca #Squatters #Ocupas #Okupas

25 February, 2021

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