Do you know the Okupas, which occupy uninhabited houses in Spain and are the nightmare of the landlords? In this article, we will take a look at this movement together.
The word ‘Okupa’ is a word that scares the eyes of the Spaniards or those who have property in Spain. Well, especially in the period when the pandemic and quarantine conditions are intense, it is frequently discussed in traditional and social media. Okupa why so scary?
To sum it up in the most basic way, we can say that the Okupas are ‘the people who occupy the empty houses and give their owners nightmares’. But at work seizure and seizure there is also. Bride What is Okupa?Let’s take a look at which properties are experiencing this situation, why homeowners can’t do anything.
What is ‘Okupa’ and where does it come from?
(The cover of a series about Okupa. You can find the series here.)
The Okupas describe themselves as a radical social movement that advocates the temporary or permanent occupation of uninhabited homes or buildings for use as shelter, farmland, meeting place or community center for social, political and cultural activities. The Okupa movement has actually been around for a while, even the first recorded slum cases takes place in 1984 in Spain and people are being evicted from their homes.
The Okupas see what they are doing as a movement towards positive social change. Rather than suffer within the confines of an unjust capitalist system, they say they prefer to challenge it and seek alternative ways of surviving.
Property owners are raising rents to astronomical levels that the average citizen cannot afford. As such, banks confiscate their homes and many families remain on the streets, leaving buildings empty and useless for years. And these buildings become the ‘occupation areas’ of the Okupas.
The Okupa movement, especially in many countries in Europe, argues that using such spaces constructively is a social responsibility and having a roof over your head is a human right. The Okupas state that those who complain about them are often ignorant, racist, and classist conservative/biological and they do not understand what they are trying to achieve.
In their modern form, the Okupas have been used to help tenants survive the economic crisis in Spain. will make it come out with the least difficulty emerged with the passing of a law. During the economic crisis in 2008, Spanish citizens could continue to live at home without paying rent. Tenants could be evicted only after lengthy court proceedings.
All of a sudden this right that people have, It began to be abused by marginalized groups and a number of immigrants. Many did not even have an official presence in Spain. Okupas could stay at home as long as they wanted, and the owners had a hard time. ‘ in SpanishOkupa’ the word ‘catch’, ‘capture’ it means. That’s why it was paired with this event.
The Okupa system in Spain developed in a strange way: Legal landlords even paid the bills of the Okupa living on their property, and on top of that, they couldn’t sell their property. Legislative homeowners’ actions to evict readers who have invaded their home. Courts could take years. and if these people have children, the landlord, he could be completely deprived of the right to reclaim his property.
This issue was not fully resolved until a law passed in 2018. Thanks to this new law, the property owner can appear in a civil court. of residential property He was entitled to a speedy hearing in his illegal occupation cases.
When the legal owner of the house goes to court, the judge must bring to court legal evidence that will enable readers to be in the house. gives 5 days for. If the necessary evidence is not brought within 5 days, the house is evacuated immediately. In addition, changes were made in the criminal and procedural law. Now the landlord can contact the police without revealing the names of the Okupas. Previously, it was necessary to specify personal data that the occupants would not voluntarily disclose.
Which properties are at risk of ‘okupa’?
According to statistics, the ones who have taken over the flats are mostly seen in the cities of Barcelona and Madrid, which host the most refugees in Spain. Since it is mostly seen in these two cities, an insurance is provided against this situation, but in other regions. There is no insurance against Okupas.. Of course, the Okupas are not stupid either, they choose the least protected places.
Okupas are usually in large apartments with lots of empty apartments and single detached houses without many structures or buildings around they prefer. Okupas can also stay in properties that have been expropriated or confiscated by banks and legal entities.
What do homeowners do if a home has been ‘okupa’?
If a landlord’s property is ‘okupa’, ie occupied, landlords do not have much choice. If a landlord to get rid of Okupas If he uses brute force, this situation can be used against him. That’s why you can get rid of emotions and go directly to a referral to the legal department needs.
Illegal tenants can only be evicted directly if caught red-handed while breaking into the home. Otherwise, an Okupa settled in the property, changed the keys, and lined up their belongings. only by court order can be evacuated. This means that homeowners need to frequently check the current status of their vacant properties.
Working in partnership with authorities in Spain ‘heavy dude’ service There is also. These big and tough brothers go and talk to unwanted guests, but this service is not 100% operational because, as we said, the only guarantee is court decision and police accompaniment.
Isn’t there a way for homeowners to protect their property?
One of the best ways for a property owner in Spain to protect their property from Okupas is to get along with their neighbors. If you are someone who frequently leaves their property in Spain empty If he gets along well with his neighbors, he can report a reader to be caught red-handed, thus ending the process before it begins..
Another way is the concierge service. If the owner has a concierge or security service in the site, apartment or area where the property is located, they can protect the property professionally. Another way is of course security cameras and alarm systems, but they are a bit expensive. Of course, if you do not use the house, but if you own it, it is unlikely that the security and alarm system will be expensive.
To summarize:
A group of people who are unregistered in Spain, thanks to a law that came into force since the 2008 crisis occupying the houses they find empty they can claim there and in some cases even qualify to stay there.
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On the other hand, homeowners should be very careful, choose their homes in good places, install security systems and keep good relations with their neighbors needs. What are you thinking? Please do not forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments.