A British couple returning to their holiday home in Menorca found it illegally occupied by squatters. The pair, from Kent, arrived at their villa in June after being away for three months. They discovered an alarm system had been installed, which they had not put in place, and that their furniture and rugs had been removed, indicating someone had been living in the property.
Two Spanish squatters, identified as a father and son aged 55 and 25, later arrived at the property. An altercation ensued, with both parties accusing the other of assault. Initially, police indicated the squatters could remain, citing evidence such as an alarm installation invoice and supermarket delivery records that suggested they had been residing there. The British owners were advised to stay in a hotel.
However, the situation changed when the homeowners' solicitor presented Land Registry documents and other evidence to confirm their legal ownership. The owners then filed complaints alleging illegal occupation and theft, resulting in the arrest of both squatters. The couple has since returned to their villa, and legal proceedings are ongoing.
This incident is not isolated in Spain. In a separate case last year, a British woman was reportedly forced to sell her Spanish holiday villa after a squatter refused to leave. The ordeal began when a tenant stopped paying rent for a luxury villa near Benidorm. Facing Spain's complex tenancy laws, which could have led to lengthy and costly eviction proceedings, the owner ultimately paid a de-squatting service to remove the tenant, who owed significant back rent and bills.