Re: It's still happening...
 

We’ve been looking at an internal move within Spain and have been down to Andalucia several times because we like it down there. That’s why I’m always grateful for advice and read all there is to read. I was surprised about Chiclana though.

My own view is that excessive burocracy, crazy politics and the traditional Spanish way of life have all collided together in recent years to cause havoc, aided by an unacceptable level of corruption.

I came to Spain 20 years ago and since then have bought three properties and sold two, and have bought and sold three businesses. In strict English terms, every one of those transactions have been illegal.

I remember going into a lawyers office in Estepona to buy my first apartment, when I was still bursting with honesty. That honesty wavered a bit when I attended the notary and handed over a wad of undeclared cash and signed forms that showed wrong amounts. My gestor and accountant taught me some more, the latter nearly fell off his chair laughing when I turned up with a cardboard box full of receipts for the business tax returns.

The best gestor I ever came across was based in Benidorm. I would attend his office requiring all sorts of complicated documents, and he would send me away for half-an-hour to get a coffee. On my return, at least a dozen of those valuable documents, all completed with official stamps all over the place, would be waiting for me.

I’ve been checking my paperwork for when the house is put up for sale, but I must have got the wrong papers, there’s no mention of the top floor or the swimming pool and my driveway is in the wrong place. And there are a few noughts missing on the value shown. We might have to stay. I wish I hadn’t looked.

Re: It's still happening...
 

Excellent post - says it all. It is a bit disconcerting when, despite all the press and information available on forums, there are still people unable to comprehend the level of corruption in Spain and assume that many of the problems can be avoided with careful planning and research.

It is a lottery, in my view.

Re: It's still happening...
 

What has happened to you in Spain that you are so traumatized?

Re: It's still happening...
 

The Spanish justice is not perfect, and I am very criticize with the justice in Spain, but I believe that corruption is in all the countries. The difference is that in Spain there is transparency and we take out these things to the public opinion, and for this reason it seems that there is more corruption here that in Sweden, Italy, China or Mars

And the " Ley de costas " I believe that it is not an law of the Spanish parliament, is of the European parliament

But to demolish the house of somebody, without warning and without compensation, I consider it a authentic shame, here and where it is

Re: It's still happening...
 

Not traumatized just very VERY aware and glad to be home :)

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Such as?

Re: It's still happening...
 

That´s twice you´ve asked that question, Warren, and smartmove still hasn´t answered. If he is so smart, maybe he could enlighten the rest of us.

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I thought he was giving us the benefit of his vast buying experience, but do I read it right, he hasn´t yet bought there? Tell me I'm reading it wrong. :confused:

Re: It's still happening...
 

Well, if you´re reading it wrong, then so am I. See post 44. ;)

Re: It's still happening...
 

No, haven't purchased property there but am doing my homework to minimise as much as possible the risk when we do decide to put the money on the table. I agree there is always an element of risk but just because you and/or others may have made mistakes doesn't mean it's a certainty for the many thousands of other people who purchase property in Spain. I don't think it's fair to give the impression "Buy in Spain and you WILL get screwed over". You have had your bad experiences (hence what appears to be a very anti-Spain attitude that appears to be evident in the majority of your posts), others have had good experiences.

Re: It's still happening...
 

A few months ago I produced a few thousand window stickers for this company: http://www.safepurchasespain.com/

They offer an insurance policy underwritten by one of the big insurance firms in Madrid that will indemnify you for 20 years against having your land clawed back/house demolished/paperwork declared 'silly'.

I haven't used their service or anything but to me it seems like a really good idea!

Steve.

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I don't think anyone has given that impression that it's a certainty, just that the chances are a lot higher than in comparable other EU countries like UK, France, Germany etc. You don't read of thousands of properties being declared illegal in those countries like you do in Spain. You speak as if the owners of illegal properties have all been idiots, as if they have done no research prior to buying, that you are alone in doing your homework before buying. Many thousands have been down the legal route, got all the legal paperwork, have even enjoyed several years in a "legal" property before having it deemed illegal. Of course many will have bought without any problems, but that will come as scant consolation for those that have invested their life savings in a property that is now either worthless or impossible to sell.

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If it works, it's an excellent idea. I think it would need the legal brains to check out the small print before deciding how well it might work.

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I did not suggest "owners of illegal properties have ALL been idiots", I merely suggested that some of these bad experiences could probably have been avoided given a little more time for due diligence. I also agree with what you're saying about these issues being worse in Spain than other EU countries but this will not deter us from eventually purchasing in Spain.

I do like the look of that "Safe Purchase" scheme should the T&C's add up :thumbup:

Re: It's still happening...
 

Glad to see you back in the thread. Perhaps you might like to address my question?Such as?