Squatter Outraged After She Gets Squatted While On Caribbean Holiday: Spain’s Wildest Housing Row Yet

While Raquel – a decade‑long squatter – lounged connected Caribbean beaches, she learnt her Spanish location had been taken complete by different squatters. Raquel, who decribed herself arsenic an ‘innocent victim’ successful each of this, is outraged and distraught. 

Spain’s lodging situation has produced immoderate bizarre headlines – but this 1 takes nan tortilla.

Raquel, a self‑confessed okupa (squatter) who had been surviving for nan past decade successful a spot she didn’t ain aliases rent, returned from a Dominican Republic vacation to find she had been… squatted herself.

Yes, moreover squatters successful Spain aren’t safe from different squatters. Read connected to find retired nan tragic communicative of Raquel, nan jet-setting squatter.

The vacation from hell

While sunning herself successful nan Caribbean, Raquel learned that a group had moved into her home. The twist? They were reportedly allowed successful by her own friends – including a female named María – while she was away.

“You thief these group and they repay you for illustration this…”, tearful Raquel told Spanish outlet A3 Media.

TikTok videos show nan infinitesimal nan newcomers arrived “like a chaotic pack” to return complete nan property.

Ten years successful an occupied home

Raquel admits she had been successful the spot for 10 years without paying rent aliases holding nan deeds. Under Spain’s laws, this makes her a squatter. While supporters often reason that squatters capable quiet homes retired of necessity, spot owners and ineligible experts telephone it what it is – forbidden occupation.

Under existent eviction rules, removing squatters from a spot tin return months, moreover years, unless nan proprietor catches them wrong nan first 48 hours of entry, which allows for contiguous constabulary action. For ineligible homeowners, nan process involves tribunal orders and tin beryllium costly.

In Raquel’s case, she had nary ineligible title to nan home, yet she still sees nan caller squatters arsenic trespassers who person wronged her.

The accused hits back

Maria claimed that Raquel utilized to beryllium a squatter herself, calling her position hypocritical.

“She also was a squatter. She can’t conflict for a location that’s not hers,” Maria said.  

She has moreover issued an ultimatum: “When she gets backmost to Spain, I’m giving her 15 days to study me. If she doesn’t, I’ll study her.” A classical lawsuit of squatters reporting squatters for reporting squatting.

A squatter’s paradox

The lawsuit has gone viral online, pinch galore calling it “the colmo de los colmos” – nan eventual successful hypocrisy. But beneath nan ridicule lies a superior point: Spain’s squatter authorities are creating a business truthful tangled that moreover squatters are starting to judge that they’re nan victims.

Spain records thousands of forbidden business cases each year, making it 1 of nan highest successful Europe. While nan authorities has promised tougher laws and faster eviction processes, critics opportunity loopholes still let long‑term squatters to thrive – and, arsenic Raquel’s lawsuit shows, moreover to autumn unfortunate themselves.

Key facts astir squatter laws successful Spain

• Okupa is nan Spanish word for an illegal occupier of a property.
• Police tin enactment instantly if squatters are discovered and reported wrong 48 hours of entry.
• After 48 hours, owners must get a tribunal order, which tin return months.
• Squatter authorities do not assistance ownership, but agelong delays successful eviction make betterment difficult.

Want much connected what’s happening successful Spain – and what it intends erstwhile it comes to living here? Don’t miss our afloat coverage.