Okkupa problem

From my reading and research, the occurrence of illegal squatting is actually quite rare, though it does exist, and there are anecdotal cases of it that through one person telling another portray it as more wide spread than it is.  Not to diminish the anxiety it can produce or the hurdles it creates when it does happen,  but some people claim that politics has played a part, exaggerating it to be more widespread and more of a problem than it is in reality, to distract from the real issue of lack of affordable and attainable housing.  Eviction is far more common than is believed to be, and when squatting does happen it preponderantly occurs in abandoned government or bank-owned buildings usually not in private homes owned by individuals.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

What are Okupas?

Okupas are individuals who occupy a property without the owner's permission.

Types of Occupation:

1. Break-ins: Squatters illegally enter a vacant property, change locks, and occupy it.
2. Non-paying tenants: Tenants who stop paying rent and refuse to leave.

Legal Considerations:

1. 48-hour window: If the owner reports the occupation within the first 48 hours, police can act without a court order.

1. Legal Process: After 48 hours, the owner must go through a formal legal process for eviction.

1. Lengthy process: Eviction proceedings can be lengthy and complex, potentially taking months or even years.

Recent Legal Changes:

1. Express eviction: New laws aim to shorten eviction timelines, potentially allowing for eviction within 24-48 hours in verified cases.

1. Empowered police: Police and other authorities have been granted more power to act in verified cases.

@gianniboni58

From what we’ve seen with international clients, the situation has improved slightly with recent legal changes, but the “okupa” issue hasn’t disappeared. The key difference now is that in some cases the eviction process can be faster, especially for private owners, though it still depends on the court and the circumstances.

Many expat buyers still ask us to review the property’s occupancy status carefully before purchase, it’s a step worth taking to avoid unpleasant surprises.

@gianniboni58

It's still very much a thing. In Barcelona there was a occupa living on the top floor of our building in a small storage room on the roof. Now in Valencia, there is a whole (small) neighborhood of occupas living in the old town of Campanar. These are just examples from my experience.