22.5.11

Illegal Homes Tragedy

By Linda Palfreeman, Abusos Urbanisticos NO

Despite the current international outrage, the Spanish government,
construction companies, promoters and the rest still fail to acknowledge the
extent of the damage that the illegal housing scandals are continuing to
cause, not only to the country's economy but also to its reputation, both at
home and abroad. Media coverage of construction illegalities and demolition
tragedies means that there is now widespread mistrust among potential
investors from outside, whilst those trapped on the inside live in too much
fear and angst over their future, and that of their home, to spend money as
freely as they once did.

Central and regional governments issue grants in order to 'kickstart the
economy' and desperately seek to implement schemes like the latest roadshow fiasco designed to attract foreign buyers back into the affected areas. Like many others, I would like to know why they are allowed to do it.
Perhaps it was the Spanish housing minister's assurance that only
8,500-or-so British citizens have fallen foul of devious property dealers
backed by legal and local Authorities. The British (along with Germans,
French, Belgians, Swedish…) do indeed represent a minority among the many,
many thousands of affected homeowners – Spanish citizens forming by far the
greater percentage. So, that's alright then? No doubt other European
governments should be encouraged to follow the same thinking. As long as its
own citizens constitute the majority of those affected by unjust and
retroactively-applied housing laws, poorly-functioning local Authorities and
unscrupulous promoters, builders, lawyers and the rest, the Spanish
Government should be given a warm welcome on any European shore. I am afraid I disagree – and I know I am not alone.

There are many thousands of expatriates of all nationalities, currently
suffering the consequences of urban corruption in Spain. Each of us, in our
different localities, has our own particular predicament to contend with –
ranging from illegally built housing to unjust expropriation, and often
encompassing an unpalatable mixture of both. Thankfully, we can count on
those who, both individually and collectively, are prepared to help us fight
our cause, but they need our support. The proliferation of associations now
springing into life throughout the country is indicative of the extent of
the problem of urban abuse: Abusos Urbanísticos, No (AUN); Abusos
Urbanísticos Lliber, No! (AULN); Abusos Urbanísticos del Levante Almeriense,
No! (AULAN) …and the list goes on. Whilst representing moving and inspiring
examples of solidarity, sadly, these platforms are also indicative of the
refusal of the Spanish Authorities to show any willingness to provide very
necessary solutions to the problems of urban abuse, let alone accept any
part in their creation.

When asked, recently, if compensation would only be paid to affected
Britons, Housing Minister, Beatríz Corredor, replied: 'if the courts order
it'. So, we'll take that as a 'no' then, Beatríz?

This attitude ensures that only those buyers (of whatever nationality) who
are young enough and affluent enough to afford lengthy legal action stand a
chance of recouping their money. It will probably prove much more difficult
to recover their physical and psychological well-being.

Maybe someone should tell Spanish government that the only way to inject
life back into the country's economy is by getting their own houses in order
first. Instead of wringing the life out of what is left, they should spend
their money and effort in implementing satisfactory solutions to the illegal
housing dilemmas that threaten to destroy local communities and to disgrace
the nation. And they should try to implement one of the fundamentals of
clever marketing, if not of moral decency: stop treating people in terms of
numbers and markets and start treating them as people. Take the Skippers,
for example, an elderly couple who live in Dolores. They rue the day they
trusted a local company enough to buy a house from them. No doubt convinced by the chatty, reassuring words of the British 'estate agent' fronting the outfit, they handed over their life-savings and settled into their little
patch of paradise in the rural Vega Baja. Welcome, Mr and Mrs Skipper, to
the mire.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Skippers' case (as detailed in the
Costa Blanca News, May 13 2011), please allow me to briefly outline the
details. Like many thousands of others, Mr and Mrs Skipper bought their
house in good faith, completely unaware that it had been illegally built.
That was in 2003. Over five years later, suddenly faced with a huge fine and
the threat of demolition, they realize they were deceived, big time, by
their now not-so-friendly local estate agent. Though backed by the Regional
Ombudsman, José Cholbi, the Skippers find themselves up against the local
Town Hall Administration that refuses to accept the Ombudsman's
recommendations and challenges the Skippers to take the Town Hall to court,
knowing full-well, of course, that the likelihood of this is minimal with
the resources available to them.

Understandably, both Mr and Mrs Skipper have been emotionally and physically
affected by the extremely stressful predicament in which they find
themselves. Having suffered a heart attack, Mr Skipper has been hospitalized
three times since Christmas. Sadly, as most of us know, their story is not
unique.

Despite everything, like many other European citizens, the Skippers love
living in Spain. They only wish they could live in peace without the
constant fear of losing their home. Until that is possible, however, they
want to warn others of the dangers of buying Spanish property. As do we all.


Meanwhile, I would like to tell Ray and Veda Skipper that their fight is our
fight and that we, too, will do all we can, at least to keep their case in
the 'public eye' and to draw attention to their plight at national and
European level. We can start by writing to our MEPs and by giving voice to
this injustice wherever the opportunity presents itself. We can pledge our
support to those who campaign for the application of economic sanctions
should Spain continue to refuse to comply with European law. This is the
only hope that those like the Lluchs, the Olsens, the Priors and the
Skippers have of obtaining some kind of compensation for the injustice and
inhumanity they continue to endure.

That is what I would have liked to have said to them, but sadly it is
already too late. As we go to press, we have learned of the tragic news of
Ray Skipper's death. Ray will never hear these words and Vera is too
distraught to listen – and then, of course, there are those who will simply
turn a 'deaf ear.'