Question
Has anyone bought occupied apartments in Spain? I see Idealista is full of those, and I wonder how does it work (if it works at all).
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“Not personally, but my neighbors were okupas. The apartment went to auction, and the new owners offered 10k for the okupas to leave, but they asked for 50k. In the end, the okupas were removed, and the apartment was refurbished. The owners didn’t pay anything, though it wasn’t a pleasant situation for the okupas.”
“We did it through legal means, but it took a while. We kept receipts as evidence of purchase and hired a company that specialized in evictions. Took about a year to get them out.”
“In my neighborhood, there are several occupied houses for sale. The new owner would need a plan: either pursue legal eviction, negotiate a cash payment to the okupas, or hire a group to remove them. These properties are sold at a fraction of the market value because of the situation.”
“I would stay far away from those properties. It can take years to get the occupants out, and you will likely spend a fortune fixing the apartment once they leave.”
“Don’t invest in Barcelona right now. The laws make it almost impossible to evict squatters, and it’s a waste of money.”
“There’s a company called Desokupa that specializes in removing squatters. Their fees start at around €3,000-5,000.”
“Be cautious. Evicting squatters can be a long legal process, and while some companies promise quick results, there’s always the risk of criminal charges if it’s not done legally.”
Conclusion
Purchasing an occupied apartment in Spain is a complex and potentially costly endeavor. While some buyers have successfully negotiated with okupas or used legal eviction methods, these situations often take a long time to resolve and may require significant financial investment.
Some companies, like Desokupa, offer services to remove squatters, but even this comes with legal and ethical concerns. Potential buyers should be prepared for the lengthy legal process, potential repair costs, and the overall uncertainty surrounding such properties.
