Concerns Rise Over Legal Ambiguities in Property Eviction Companies in Tenerife
Arrest Highlights Legal Dangers
The recent arrest of the manager of Ez Property Solutions in Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife, for threatening and coercing Civil Guard officers has shed light on the legal ambiguities surrounding a burgeoning business model in the Canary Islands. While these companies are marketed as quick solutions for desperate homeowners, their methods often tread dangerously close to, and at times cross, legal boundaries. This exposes their clients to potential criminal consequences.
Legal Framework Surrounding Evictions
Formally, eviction companies can register as any other commercial entity. However, the issue arises from their methods. According to the Civil Procedure Law and Law 5/2018, which introduced a “fast-track” procedure for evicting unlawful occupants, a judge must order and execute any eviction. When a private company assumes this role, it enters a perilous domain.
In theory, they offer “mediation” and “access control,” but in practice, their actions frequently lead to coercion, threats, or intimidation—behaviours classified as criminal under the Penal Code. In these scenarios, not only the company’s employees but also the homeowners who hire them can become involved in legal proceedings.
The Fear-Business Model
The rise of these companies is rooted in public fear surrounding illegal occupation. Their marketing strategy exploits contrasts: while court procedures can take months or even years, they promise a “solution” within days. This stark difference fuels their business model. They capitalise on homeowners’ frustrations by offering an appealing shortcut that lacks the legal safeguards of judicial processes. Additionally, they amplify the perception of the issue: in 2024, Spain recorded 16,426 reports of usurpation or trespassing, 663 of which occurred in the Canary Islands, a minimal proportion compared to the housing stock in the archipelago.
The Granadilla Incident
The recent events in Granadilla de Abona exemplify the risks associated with hiring these companies. The manager of Ez Property Solutions was arrested after making threats against Civil Guard officers, while another employee was detained for assaulting an officer during the operation. This incident follows a troubling record in 2024, when members of the same company faced accusations in Tenerife for assaulting a social activist during another eviction. Such episodes challenge the image of “peaceful methods” these companies strive to project.
Judicial Path as the Only Reliable Option
In contrast to extrajudicial options, the judicial route remains the only safe and legal method for addressing such issues. Property lawyers emphasize that Law 5/2018 allows for an “expedited” process within civil jurisdiction that, while not instantaneous, ensures evictions free of the risk of coercion or unlawful entry. In a context such as the Canary Islands, characterized by the sensitivity of the real estate market and social pressure regarding access to housing, distinguishing between what is quick and what is correct is crucial. Relying on private eviction companies may ultimately cost homeowners more than the occupation they aimed to resolve.
