AUAN

Exactly. If the courts were obliged to consider compensation to innocent third parties BEFORE they demolished a property they might come to this conclusion beforehand and apply a different penalty such as higher fines and longer jail terms to the promoter.

Sadly, this does not happen in practice.

Lenox

It's rare for the Spanish press to take any notice of what the guiris are up to, but today's Voz de Almería has an article called 'Más de 900 británicos piden a través de la Red cambiar la ley urbanística'
Sign the petition here and help bring it up to 1000!

agoreira

I like the line, si los oriundos del lugar comparten el mismo nivel de preocupación por la problemática urbanística que sus vecinos de lengua inglesa.
I suspect the answer is no.

AUAN

This remains to be seen. We are waiting for the Spanish language version to be made available via AVAAZ. We have to be patient because they, like us, are non profit.

However, I suspect the answer is YES, they will be interested because they see the damage this issue has caused in the affected areas and the property market has been in free fall for the last 17 months.

In our experience when faced with this issue most of the help, information, sympathy and support comes from people whose feet are firmly planted in Spanish society.

DENISE WALTERS

good luck hope the powers that be take notice of it .

Lenox

The actual text is not very well written, and it concentrates on the Valle del Almanzora rather than the whole of Andalucía - the Axarquía and Chiclana and so on. In total, there are an estimated 250,000 to 300,000 'viviendas ilegales' across the region (more homes than the entire number of residences in the City of Málaga).
And yet, the Junta de Andalucía didn't notice anything until they were all built. And sold. The same Junta de Andalucía that makes you chip your dog, get a permit to ride a horse from one municipality to the next and knows when your car is four years old. C'mon, sign the petition. Let's wake these creatures up!

DENISE WALTERS

I have already signed up ages ago on another site

Mercedes

Just out of interest with the Marbella fires and those who are deemed ilegal who have insurance. Are the insurance companies using the fact they are deemed ilegal as an out clause in not paying out on claims. Technically wouldn't they be committing an ilegal offence in paying out to be rebuilt. So if this is the case, won't the government be happy then that so many were destroyed in the fire? How will those people therefore be compensated also? Raises another immediate question.

DENISE WALTERS

I did not think of that , watch this space it could be interesting

Domino

isnt it an offence to provide insurance on an illegal property ?

all it will cost the insurers is repayment of the premiums - if the householder is lucky.

AUAN

Hi Lenox,
The text of the petition has been revised and now reads as follows......Restore responsible buying and selling of property within the European context. Restore the fundamental rights of citizens to move house as life dictates and not have assets effectively frozen like criminals.......Thousands of people throughout Spain,but especially in Andalusia, Spaniards and non-Spaniards alike, have their property threatened with demolition or other penalties despite having bought in GOOD FAITH through the Spanish legal system. The Regional Governments, and the Central Government in Madrid, appear to have no desire to adequately reform the system. The problem is exacerbated by delays in the judicial system which in effect denies access to justice.

The European Commission appears to wash its hands of such human/fundamental rights violations, and states that the matter is not within European Law; despite many well presented Petitions, and despite the basic European ideals of mobility of capital and citizens across borders.
The Spanish Government desires economic aid from Europe but is apparently unable to fix problems like this created or allowed by the Spanish system, problems that are detrimental to the Construction Industry, incoming Tourism, and hence employment and local economies of this beautiful Country.
Relevant European governments appear not able or willing to help its expat citizens in Europe.
Many people caught in this corrupt housing planning trap are retired citizens without the time expectency of decades to resolve the problem

Lenox

Much better. Now we need to spread the word. With a good number of signatures, this could give the guiris a certain people-power and influence with the administration. Will our local English newspapers run this story?

Fred James

Why should it be illegal? The legality of the property is irrelevant. They certainly don't ask about it on the proposal form.

You insure against a risk and the company pays out to cover the loss.

In the case of an illegal house with major damage it would be almost impossible to get the relevant building permissions to repair it so I guess you would just get the money.

AUAN

The petition will need more 'legs' before it gets wider attention from the press. Some local newspapers and forums have already been supportive by bringing the petition to the attention of their readers.
We will of course keep trying

Fred James

It might be more sucessfull if it was better worded.

"Restore responsible buying and selling of property within the European context. Restore the fundamental rights of citizens to move house as life dictates and not have assets effectively frozen like criminals."

I can't see anything in there about illegal houses or corruption. I know it is expanded a bit in the attached "Why is this important" but the basic petition is a bit weak.