Thread: A word of warning to anyone considering a move to Spain

My parents purchased a property on an urbanisation. They employed a fully independent lawyer having checked his credentials which are bone fide. They then went through the purchase procedure employing every care throughout, lawyer, bank, notary, town hall etc etc and wearingly Spanish etc. All went well and they lived in the property for three years, paying local taxes, community fees, utility bills watching people come and go, buy and sell.....then, two months ago, a letter arrived from the Autonomous Government telling them that the whole community had been built illegally and would be demolished. They are now worried sick and regret moving out there. I don't think they are in with much of a chance and fortunately am in a position to take them back and to help them in the UK. Spain ?......a third world country. Can you see this type of thing happening in the UK ?

Read this as well and don't trust the Spaniards !

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/exp...goes-sour.html

I have been in touch with the BBC and following the excellent viewing figures for ITV's Spain: Paradise Lost they are researching a similar programme but with more episodes. Watch out for my parents, they will figure in it and pin bag your lug holes, it will make for uncomfortable listening. I hate the Spanish for what they have done to my parents and I will not stop in my battle against them. I have plently of money (fortunately) and will stop at nothing to expose what is happening.

Firstly good afternoon and welcome to the Absolute Spain Forum, I hope you find it helpful and friendly.

I am not in the situation of many of the other nationalities living here that are experiencing problems with legality of their properties.

I have watched a little of the said programme and could not believe some people are so stupid sorry. Before committing large sums or all of your money surely you would need to be sure you wanted to live there for the rest of your life and if so take on board all that entails ie different language, life style, government, taxes health as you age etc etc surely you would want to see the area in all seasons, I personally would need to see the finished house/resort ( I would not buy off plan nor resort anyway) I would never consider giving money away for something un seen and un finished. Planning to spend the rest of your life in a country vastly different from your native land takes a lot of research, planning and plain old common sense, sadly many of those now in dire situations have only themselves to blame, greed and grass is greener comes to mind.

If they have followed what they believe are the right/legal ways, did their research and now have a problem then that is a bit different.

This is Spain though, not UK or any other country, the rules are different, it is not a hand out state from what I read. Yes they have their faults, corruption and many differences just like many other countries including the UK BUT would they have spent ALL their money in the same way of living in their native land ? would they expect the state to help out because they overspent ? they chose to live in another country as I did and before I moved here one of the considerations I took account of was IF I need/want to return how do I fund it ? I have my way back if it is ever needed.

I have also read that article and she talks a lot of sense that many seemed to have ignored, why should a goverment of one country try and make sure its people use their heads when they want to leave that country ? I am some what confused on that one.

I do not think you can say don't trust the spanairds, many British ripped off their own here.

I have to agree with Val. Paul, why do you direct your anger at ALL the Spanish people, when it can only be few people responsible. If the property WAS built illegally, why did the solicitor not discover this. Were all the permits checked at the time of purchase? could it be that the builder/developer was to blame? It certainly is not the fault of every Spainard.

A little thought about where you direct your anger to, will get more sympathy for your parents, than the "catch-all" approach you are showing towards the Spanish people

Originally Posted by Paul

My parents purchased a property on an urbanisation. They employed a fully independent lawyer having checked his credentials which are bone fide. They then went through the purchase procedure employing every care throughout, lawyer, bank, notary, town hall etc etc and wearingly Spanish etc. All went well and they lived in the property for three years, paying local taxes, community fees, utility bills watching people come and go, buy and sell.....then, two months ago, a letter arrived from the Autonomous Government telling them that the whole community had been built illegally and would be demolished. They are now worried sick and regret moving out there. I don't think they are in with much of a chance and fortunately am in a position to take them back and to help them in the UK. Spain ?......a third world country. Can you see this type of thing happening in the UK ?

Read this as well and don't trust the Spaniards !

I totally disagree with you. Your parents are in the unlucky MINORITY ! Spain is the best place to live. I have been in business ith many Spaniards over the years never been ripped off, made them and me lotsa money. I am in the spanish tax system and the spanish health care system, guess what no complaints. Things have just gone from great to fantastic for me in Spain.
I do agree however there is no need to pull any homes down.
Please state where , what urbanisation it is and I can see what is the situation with it in the Spanish press.
The only problem with Spain is the brits moaning about Spain.

This tale of woe is beginning to look a bit suspect to me. Paul makes it abundantly clear that he is financially loaded. As this cascades through the family I suspect he and his parents were financially able to take all the necessary measures to ensure the legitimacy of the conveyance procedures. Why didn't they?
Even the most critical agree that in all but one or two isolated cases - which will happen anywhere, not just Spain - those who have fallen foul of planning regs' have only themselves to blame. This includes a report by the property section of the Daily Telegraph. I have quoted it.
His blaming the entire Spanish system and expressing his detestation of the Spaniards goes far beyond being unreasonable. As would the situation if it was reversed: A Spaniard being ripped off in the UK, which is far more likely, as we all know.
Paul! If I may ask? Why haven't you identified the location. I offered to do a little digging for you. Er! You wouldn't have an ulterior motive in this would you? Are you part of a research team preparing to create a story? It really does look like it, sir. That happens a lot.
Close to here a shame-faced bar owner, during some TV takes, piled on the misery. When he was questioned as to his exaggerations he conceded that he had been given several hundred euros for doing so - and he needed the money.

Quote:

You cannon hope to bribe or twist,
Thank God a British journalist;
But seeing what the man will do - unbribed;
There's no occasion to.

I agree with the comments above by Val et. el. If you move abroad you should integrate and take on-board the culture.

We expect immigrants to do so in England.....

Now back to your family's property issue, you attack the Spanish however let me tell you I have on-going problems with a property in another country and I used an ENGLISH law firm to manage the transaction and carry out due diligence. They messed up......Fact is it happens everywhere.......there are always a minority who break the rules.....I am now fighting a costly double pronged battle. It's not nice but sadly its life these days.

I agree-in my experience nearly 10 years living in Spain it's the Brits. who rip other Brits. off the worst not the Spanish. I love Spain and the Spanish despite the quirks--and do believe that many Brits. left their brains behind at Malaga airport !

Having worked for a while in an estate agency in Spain, I have heard of many problems as you can imagine. But the best I have heard is of a couple who were interested in buying into an urbanisation that everyone, including their solicitor had warned against, but guess what.. they still went ahead! a lovely house in a lovely situation at a great price! the fact that the house would never be finished, is totally ilegal and everyone else who is there is trying to get out, didn´t put them off. Lets look out for them on the next tv series complaining about the Spanish.

If we are having a moan about being hard done to by the Spanish I too ahve a tale to tell along with 1499 others who bought at a golf resort in Jumilla, then there are the ones who have nothing to show at Albetera, and not forgetting the half built properties at La Marina where those who have their property are still on builders water this is just a drop in the ocean because of the greed of one builder
What have we done, got out of our contract bought another place and waiting for the return of our money on a bank Guarantee which thankfully we have.
Do I still like Spain NO I love it