Britain’s Foreign Office has recognised that there is a “substantial problem” for Brits whose property in Spain is now threatened with demolition for violating local planning regulations.
At least 4,000 houses owned by Brits are involved in some kind of property dispute, according to Foreign Office estimates.
Will Middleton, director of British consular services in southern Europe, said: "We recognise this is a substantial problem and we can bring to the attention of the Spanish authorities the problems British residents are facing.
“We can’t interfere in court cases, and it’s up to the Spanish authorities to provide clarity on the legal uncertainty facing many British homeowners in Spain.
“We meet and lobby the Spanish authorities at all levels and we will continue to do so.”
Nevertheless, the Foreign Office recognised that it could not get involved in any individual problems or disputes. It told said that any home owner with problems should use the “appropriate local courts”.
Two British properties were demolished in 2013 because they were declared to be built illegally, despite one having a court decision that the owners were the innocent victims of a corruption scandal.
Some three million houses are believed to be completed but unsold in the country. As many as one million of these may be illegal due to rampant corruption in the building sector and in town halls.
The FCO has produced guidelines for purchasing property in Spain. Available online at gov.uk, “How to buy property in Spain”.
