Dondurma

Are the infamous land grabs and property frauds as bad still as they were some years back?

missile

no..........

Mitzyboy

Ditto
Although I'm sure it must happen, I hadn't heard of any land grabs for years whilst I was there

If you put your Captain Sensible head on before you come to look, and get a solicitor and ask the right questions etc, then your chances of a problem are hugely reduced.

mikelincs

I agree, and I think a lot of thee problems were due to people using the solicitors suggested by the agents, who would be very unlikely to point out any problems as they were working for the agents.

missile

(Like the Priors?), those who I know were aware that properties they purchased were illegal, but thought this is a bargain and it will never happen to me.

davidinspain

A lot (but obviously not all) of the hysteria was generated by British tabloids who as usual told half a story.Most properties as mentioned above were illegal builds, and what happened to them would happen in the UK.Farmer told he MUST pull down castle he built secretly behind haystacks as he loses six-year planning row | Daily Mail Online

johnnyone

The farmer always knew he was breaking the law. A lot of Brits had permissions from the local council that were subsequently over-ruled.
A big difference.

cliff b

So who would need to give the ultimate permission then?

If you are looking at a house that has local council permission for it to be built most people, myself included, would assume this to be okay.

If we buy a property from who would the permission to build that was unquestionable be from if not the local council?

missile

Would you buy a house in UK without planning permission and a habitation certificate or in an area zoned for building a new road? Some seem to leave their brain at home when they come to Spain.

cliff b

I assumed that these people thought that they had the equivalent of our planning permission so that had what they needed?

Here I would 100% trust my solicitor, from what I have read on here it's not the same in Spain!

Mitzyboy

Agreed, but the Priors was a long time ago and the OP was asking the current situation I think

Mitzyboy

The Town Hall is the place to go to check the legalities of a property, and a good solicitor should do that for you.

Some people back in the day didnt use a solicitor at all, hence why disaster struck on a fairly regular basis.

There WERE exceptions, like the Priors who were mentioned above. As I understand it, the checks were done (I'm not sure on that) but the legality was over ruled by a higher authority. This was, however, 6 years ago.

VFR

No !

missile

Almost everyone I know was well aware then of the rules regarding building on agricultural land and many thought they could get round the rules. Some were unlucky / got what they deserve - depending on how much sympathy you have toward those who try to pull a fast one.

... and what has changed? NOTALOT AFIK

Mitzyboy

I wasn't aware the OP was asking specifically about building a house on agricultural land

The fact of the matter is that there are huge Urbs down South which are illegal builds. Either the buyers didn't use solicitors, used solicitors that were in collusion with the builders, or didn't care that they were illegal builds. But it could have been avoided.

The advice on here afaik has always been to take great care when buying a house on agricultural land. Again, in many instances disaster could be avoided by using the appropriate solicitors.