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It has probably caught your attention already – the so-called Valencia Land-Grab.
It’s been in the headlines here too. In particular, a retired ex-pat couple who had their Costa home flattened last week by bulldozers – worse, it’s rumoured to be the first of ‘many’. I won’t repeat their name here – they’ve had enough grief….
The Costa Blanca News (CBN - http://www.costablanca-news.com/) headlined the whole sorry thing with sad pictures of the couple with their children outside a pile of rubble – what had been their retirement home.
To quote the CBN:
The demolition order caught the ‘owners name’ totally by surprise. “We had all our licenses in order: We had the ‘escritura’ (deeds) for the property and the land, and we were also on the ‘Padron’.
Here is what I believe to be critical in the statement:
“Despite having a building permit for their villa, built on 10,060 square metres of rustic land in the La Loma de Vera district, the Junta (Andalucía regional government) ruled that the property was illegal because it encouraged further development in the area. Six other properties are also under threat of demolition”
The article went on to state that Vera’s Mayor supported the family, and vowed to pay every last cent in damages….
What is interesting is that when I stated my intention to move to Spain, almost the first thing that burbled out of my friends mouths were “Ahhhhh- but be careful of the Land Grab….”
Maybe a little passive envy?
One thing for sure, all folks coming here need to do their own “Due Diligence”. What that means is getting proper Spanish Lawyers involved right from the beginning.
I’m a lay person, and you probably know as much or more than I – but can you see a trend here…
- The Spanish folks are getting twitchy about having villas built on prime pieces of land – particularly coastline areas.
- There is a large piece of ‘politics’ going on here between the main political parties
- It seems to particularly affect large plots of land
- Rustic land is also particularly sensitive and needs special diligence
Now, I live on an ‘Urbanizacion’ and as such, the developer’s lawyer has stated on their website:
....that we will not be affected by the Land Grab because this urbanizacion has been around for around 25 years - I’m not gloating here – just breathing a sigh of relief!
Back to my point. It seems that folks who buy large plots are more likely to have the government feel that local communities are being cut out. Those poor folks mentioned had bought 10,000 square metres – it is more likely that the local authorities would want to develop that amount of land? Possibly - particularly in this case as it was rustic land.
My plot for example, is a healthy 1000 square metres. Leave aside the fact that I’m halfway up a mountainside. You’d have difficulty building a push-bike track on what’s left of my plot!
Folks who bought their property many years ago – perhaps when laws were less stringent than today – may be more prone – but I wouldn’t stay awake at night worrying about it….
Back to Due Diligence I would say. If you are already in Spain check out your villa with a local Lawyer and put your mind at peace.
Right now, the housing market in Spain has slowed significantly. Monte Pego is still selling - but I would see it as a buyers market. Deals can be done. Come over for a few weeks, hire a car, ask around, don't panic buy - you don't need to....
In short, it's never been better for Brits to escape to the sun.
Let me finish by putting this into perspective. There has always been the power by local authorities in the UK to Compulsory Purchase your house. Probably been a few cases over the past few years. When you buy a new property it's one of the points that solicitors always check. Tick in the box stuff.
In Spain, if this were to happen to you because of the size of your plot, the local authorities will often (I could quote one case I have heard of), give you the chance to develop it at your own cost – but them sell on the land at a significant profit.
Do you hear of the rare occasion of a UK domestic gas explosion? Yes – but does that mean you will not use gas – of course not. What about traffic accidents? Do you want to get rid of your family car? Nope.
My lay advice?
I’ve never been so happy since I came to Spain. My lifestyle is fantastic. I don’t do stress. I eat better. I get out and about more. Oh yes, and at time of writing 22 January we’ve had 17 to 20 degrees of blue skies and hot sun. I'm just about to go down to one of my many local bar/restaurants and get a 4 course lunch meal - including wine for around £7.00.
Scratch That. I'm just on my 2nd G&T, the sun has just gone down at 6 0clock in the evening. My thermometer shows 26 degrees. Phew, must take my shirt off.
Come and join the other million-ish or so Brits out here – the only reason I return to the UK will be to attend weddings or funerals (and not my own I might add!)
Do check out Monte Pego and our beautiful local town of Pego. I have never had such a pain-free move within the UK and the builders here work bloody hard, meet deadlines, and honour their pledges. The build quality here in Monte Pego is 110%.
My villa will out-last me and my childrens children. And we overlook a valley of agricultual orange and lemon land. What a shame!!
Hasta Luego.
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