The act of illegal squatting in Spain, commonly known as “squatting“, presents a notable challenge amidst the housing and economic turmoil. This issue has sparked extensive discussions on housing policies and property rights, prompting the government to revise laws for more efficient judicial processes and stricter penalties against squatters. Nonetheless, finding a middle ground between safeguarding social rights and upholding private property remains a intricate task in the Canary Islands. Tenerife, where a recent incident unfolded in a building with 43 residences in Tijoco Bajo, part of the municipality of Adeje, where certain ‘squatters’ possessed Mercedes and Audis and were using the property for holiday rentals.
Meanwhile, over in Gran Canaria, Yurena recently shared her situation in an interview with the YouTube channel ‘This Can Go Wrong’. This resident of The Gran Canarian Palms entered an abandoned house in the La Paterna neighbourhood nine years ago and recounted how in recent days, “they tried to break into my house, it was chaotic,” described this woman who has successfully transferred the water and electricity services of the aforementioned property to her name.
The Operational Dynamics of the Company Responsible for Clearing a Property in Tenerife
The escalating issue of illegal property occupation in Tenerife reached a tipping point in the Adeje municipality, where the firm Exproperty Solutions successfully vacated 43 properties that had been unlawfully occupied. The surge in squatting, fuelled by housing shortages and rising rental costs, unfolded an unexpected facet: some of these residences boasted lavish amenities like luxury cars and high-capacity motorcycles, with some even being promoted as vacation stays.
This peculiar revelation sheds light on the intricate and diverse nature of the squatting movement, which is not solely driven by housing necessities stemming from financial constraints. In Tijoco Bajo, one of the affected areas, Exproperty Solutions executed an operation encompassing not only the eviction of occupants but also the cleaning and refurbishment of properties before returning them to their rightful owners.
Through a video shared on their social platforms, the company outlined its operational approach, focusing on negotiation with occupants, item clearance, property sanitisation, and disposal of illegal possessions such as furniture and unauthorised items. Additionally, security measures like lock replacements and anti-squatting doors are integral to their procedure.
The intervention by Exproperty Solutions in Adeje shines a light on a reality prevalent in various regions of Spain, where the scarcity of affordable housing and real estate speculation often culminate in instances of squatting.
