Laurence Dollimore
NEW property classifications being introduced by the Junta could see hundreds of expats’ homes face demolitions.
The Junta is pressuring town councils to classify buildings on non-urbanisable land as either ‘legal’, ‘DAFO’ (accepted without planning permission) or ‘illegal’.
Those labelled illegal – those built on protected areas such as river floodplains – will begin a process leading to demolition.
DAFO-registered properties meanwhile will not be able to get mortgages, nor will they be able to be extended or renovated. Town halls will also have the right to block their sale.
Campaign group SOHA is advising expats not to apply for DAFO status or begin any legal action until they have been pressured to do so.
And the builders, lawyers, councilmen that have made a fortune are *still* not being held responsible. Good here init?
We went to a SOHA meeting the other week and were given a talk on DAFO. Obviously, like absolutely everything else that the Junta de Andalucia comes up with, it’s a load of pants.
They have decided that 99% of all independent rural properties built after 1975 will be either DAFO (alegal) or illegal which will lead to eventual demolition – only 1% of properties will actually be legal. So even if you went through all the right procedures, used reputable lawyers and have all the right paperwork now, the Junta de Andalucia will reverse it and make your house virtually worthless. In other words, they have moved the goalposts yet again and retrospectively changed the law. Who says they won’t do it again and next time to coastal properties?
People need to understand that no matter how many lawyers you consult or how many checks you make, it means nothing, the property laws in Spain are not fit for purpose and do not protect you. The Priors could have hired 100 lawyers when they purchased their land and had their property built but it would still have been demolished.
SOHA and AUAN are fighting to trying to get this proposed basket case overturned/modified. I would urge anyone reading this who is affected to join SOHA or AUAN and help to end this reign of terror. Next time, it could be you.