Expats in Spain’s Anadalusia have been given a hint of hope over the illegal house scandal there.
The regional government, Anadalusia’s Junta, has announced that it will try to change the law so that houses built on non-urban land can be recognised officially.
“We just cannot leave these people in legal limbo,” said Junta president Susana Díaz. “For that reason, my government will propose to the Andalusian parliament a change in planning law which will make it possible to regulate these properties.”
Around 300,000 Spanish and expat home owners have never been able to obtain legal registration for their properties in the region after falling victim to unscrupulous developers. Some properties have already been demolished, while others remain under threat of being dismantled.
An unknown number have not been able to connect their houses to electricity, forcing them to use generators or even solar systems.
Maura Hillen, president of AUAN, an organisation supporting illegal home owners in Almanzora, Almeria province, said: “It appears to be a positive step and we are given hope by what Susana Díaz has said. We only hope that the proposed change is appropriate and that it becomes law as soon as possible."
She added: “Finally there seems to be political as well as social consensus regarding illegal houses in Andalusia.”
