The demolition of ‘illegal’ houses in Andalusia is picking up pace again.
This week, a retired British couple saw their £200,000 home torn apart by a wrecking ball ordered in by the regional authorities in Andalusia.
Another house was also destroyed and two neighbouring houses, all owned by British expats, are scheduled for demolition shortly.
The blow came despite the couple, John and Jan Brooks, were deemed by a court in Almeira to be the innocent victims of a corruption scandal.
When they purchased the villa in 2005 but were tricked by both the estate agent and the solicitor who did not reveal that the property was illegal and had a demolition order against it for having been built by a rogue developer.
At the time of construction, the mayor issued a building licence despite the land being in a zone off-limits for development.
A number of residents brought a class action suit against the mayor and the local developer. The mayor, Pedro Llamas, was sent to jail for 23 months and banned from holding public office.
Both the mayor and the developer were ordered by the court to pay compensation to the homeowners, but both have declared bankruptcy, so the chances are slender.
It is estimated that some 300,000 properties in Andalusia have been classified as illegal and could come under demolition orders. Many of the homes belong to British and other expats.
“It is unbelievable that at a time when Spain is suffering such a deep economic crisis and high unemployment and needs tourism and foreign investment the authorities would do this,” said Mr Brooks. “It sends a message. Do not buy in Spain.”
