An individual owning a property in the El Fraile area, located in the municipality of Arona, has informed DIARIO DE AVISOS that his building, previously belonging to his grandmother, has been taken over. “Approximately 15 individuals, mostly migrants, are residing in the commercial space in unsanitary conditions. Additionally, the building’s structure has been compromised due to water leaks, making it impossible for us to carry out repairs with people inside, given the associated risks,” he stated.
The property consists of a commercial area, a ground floor residence, and two upper-floor apartments, all of which were owned by the affected person’s late grandmother who passed away last year. Following her demise, her son continued to reside in the building, with accommodations arranged in the living room due to his mobility issues that prevented access to the upper levels. Tragically, the son also passed away a few months later, rendering the house unoccupied.
This predicament has left the deceased lady’s two daughters, who are the property heirs, homeless as they are unable to access their rightful residence. “These women survive on a meagre pension and cannot afford rent, forcing them to live with their children. It’s disheartening that they are deprived of their home due to the occupation,” lamented the affected individual.
Forceful Entry
“After the passing of my uncle and the subsequent vacancy of the building, we secured the entrance with a gate. However, one night in September, at around two in the morning, an individual cut through the wall to bypass the gate and entered the premises. Despite the Civil Guard’s intervention, the individual falsely claimed a rental agreement, and he was allowed entry. It’s baffling how this was permitted,” expressed the concerned property owner. “We discovered this the next morning when it was too late to take action,” he recounted.
Moreover, it was revealed that the individual occupying the space not only took over the upper apartments but also sublet them to others. Subsequently, following a police alert, the occupant vacated the premises: “He absconded, allegedly swindling €7,000 before leaving,” claimed the owner.
The owner disclosed that during their occupancy, these individuals wreaked havoc within the property, causing extensive damage. “The residence is in ruins. They destroyed furniture, even safes. They left behind nothing belonging to my grandmother, not even her undergarments,” he added.
However, the ordeal did not end there. It was reported that the initial occupant had facilitated the arrival of around 15 migrants who were now residing in the commercial area by Christmas. “They inhabit a 100 square metre space with a single bathroom and a small kitchen. They brought down mattresses from the upper apartments, now spread across the floor. Hygiene conditions are deplorable,” the affected party conveyed.
Furthermore, he suspects that one of the residing migrants has taken charge of a mattress renting business following the departure of the initial occupant. “We had altercations with the ringleader, who confronts us in our visits. The others remain silent,” he added.
Structural Deterioration
Another pressing issue faced by the property owners is the structural damage caused by faulty pipes leading to water leaks. “We consulted a surveyor who recommended shoring up the building to prevent further deterioration. However, this task cannot be undertaken with the squatters inside,” he explained.
The water leaks necessitated shutting off the water supply to prevent additional risks, which infuriated the squatters’ leader. “Upon the first squatter vacating the upper floors, we installed an alarm. It was triggered when the bars on the entrance door were forcibly broken again,” he recounted.
On this occasion, the leader admitted to causing the damage in an attempt to restore the water supply. “The police informed him that water could not be reinstated due to the leak. Concerns persist regarding the building’s structural integrity dating back to 1970,” the affected individual shared. “Despite his actions, the squatter was not apprehended,” he highlighted.
Currently, only the living room of the property is occupied. However, “my mother is unable to reside there due to the necessity of shoring up the structure and the hostility displayed by the individuals upon our visits,” he expressed.
The individual stated that the authorities have been notified of the situation: “We lodged a complaint last month following another break-in. We are now seeking legal assistance to evict the occupants. The transient nature of individuals entering and exiting the premises poses a considerable challenge,” he lamented.
