'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
#31
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Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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.
Sadly, this does not happen in practice.
#32
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Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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!
Sign the petition here and help bring it up to 1000!
#33
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Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
I suspect the answer is no.
#34
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Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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.
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.
#35
Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
good luck hope the powers that be take notice of it .
#36
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Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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!
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!
#38
Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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.
#39
Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
I did not think of that , watch this space it could be interesting
#40
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Posts: 12,053
Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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.
all it will cost the insurers is repayment of the premiums - if the householder is lucky.
#41
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Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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
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
#42
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Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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?
#43
Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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.
#44
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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
We will of course keep trying
Last edited by AUAN; Sep 15th 2012 at 12:13 pm.
#45
Re: 'Illegal Houses in Andalucía' Petition
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.
"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.
Last edited by Fred James; Sep 15th 2012 at 12:49 pm.