Petition · past parliament

Warn British Spanish Property Owners Of Favourable Squatter Laws

Rejected 18 signatures

What the petition asks

Advise them that the current laws in Spain provide squatters a legal way to take ownership of your property and belongings. If your property is unoccupied (even for a short time),they can break in, change the locks, and also call the Police to claim 'adverse possession' of your property.
Unless you catch the squatters 'red-handed' or they've had enough time to establish themselves, the police will not evict them and request you go through the law courts (which can take many years with very high legal costs). Current laws are squatter biased where they can receive free legal-aid to raise appeals against eviction. Meanwhile the owner will be forced to pay utility bills up to the day of eviction. If owners try to disconnect utility supplies they can be prosecuted for 'Coercion'.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can't accept your petition because the UK Government and Parliament aren't responsible for the issue you raise.

Timeline

7 Sep 2021 Petition opened for signatures
14 Sep 2021 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 18
Status Rejected
Rejected 14 Sep 2021

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.