Squatters allegedly attack, beat UK man with bottle after taking over his Spanish vacation home
A British homeowner was brutally attacked by squatters who had taken over his Spanish property while he was in the UK, according to European news reports. The man, identified only as Michael, was alerted to the situation by neighbors and flew from his home in Liverpool to the holiday home in the Costa del Sol region of Spain last month. The squatters allegedly met him with hostility and beat him with a bottle, leaving him with cuts to his face, back, and other parts of his body. Local authorities responded to the incident on May 30 and advised Michael to file a complaint about the squatters. He was treated at a local hospital for his injuries and released the day after the attack. The suspects were later arrested on June 8, and their case is ongoing.
Squatting has become a significant issue in Spain, with local laws favoring squatters over legal homeowners. The issue of illegal housing occupation is not limited to Spain, as homeowners in the US have also recounted lengthy legal battles to evict people living in their residences illegally. Eviction moratoriums from the pandemic have also worsened the issue, as previously reported by Fox News Digital.
FAQs:
What is squatting?
Squatting is when people unlawfully occupy a property that is not owned or rented by them.
What are the laws regarding squatting in Spain?
Currently, the law in Spain favors squatters over legal homeowners.
Has squatting been an issue in other countries?
Yes, homeowners in various countries, including the US, have experienced issues with illegal occupation of their properties.
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected squatting issues?
The pandemic has led to eviction moratoriums, which have worsened the issue of illegal housing occupation in certain countries.
UK man reportedly attacked and beaten with a bottle by alleged squatters who took control of his Spanish vacation home.
A British man, identified only as Michael, was viciously attacked by squatters who had taken over his Spanish vacation home while he was in the UK, according to European news reports. The 52-year-old, who owns a home in Spain, flew to his property in the Costa del Sol region after neighbors alerted him about the squatters. Upon arrival, Michael was met with hostility and was beaten with a bottle when he confronted the men. The suspects left him with cuts to the face, back and other parts of his body. Local authorities responded to the incident on May 30 and advised Michael to file a complaint about the squatters. Three men, who Michael described as “presumably of Moroccan nationality,” were later arrested on June 8 on suspicion of drug trafficking, electricity fraud and stolen furniture. Squatting problems have intensified in Spain, with local reports stating that current laws favor squatters over legal homeowners.