ARCHIVED - 8 steps to make sure squatters do not enter your home, according to a new guide published by Murcia

The regional government in Murcia has drawn up a guide to try and stem a tide of okupas in empty homes

1. Don’t leave the house looking empty. By making sure the letterbox is emptied regularly, the blinds are only pulled halfway down and there are a few plants on the balcony or outside will give the impression that there is someone at home, making potential squatters think twice about entering. Timers for turning on and off lights and sprinklers are also a good, low-cost way to create this impression.
2. Keep electricity and water services connected. If you do not have your electricity and water supplies connected to your home, it will be more difficult to justify that it is your residence, and if someone squats inside a court may not view it as a break-in, which can lead to delays in evicting the squatters. Hire the service of digital remote reading of the water meters to detect possible illegal connections to the supply network in the home.
3. Notify your neighbours and the homeowners’ association. Tell your neighbours or the local homeowners’ association that you are going away and leave them a contact telephone number so that they can let you know of any strange movements or suspicions of squatting in your property. The first 48 hours are crucial for taking action to evict squatters, so it pays to be informed promptly. Having neighbours as witnesses can also be useful as evidence to prove that the property belongs to you as the legitimate owner.
4. Security measures. Installing or replacing your front door with a higher security door and/or the lock will make squatting more difficult and deter squatters, who will be forced to use more complex tools and means, generating noise and nuisance that will alert neighbours. For homes that are further away from inhabited areas, doors and windows can even be boarded up while you’re not there.
5. Take out a home insurance policy with specific coverage. Take out an insurance policy with specific coverage for squatting so that in the event of having to rent a residence because you are deprived of yours, it can cover the extra expenses, as well as the damages that squatters may cause.
6. Get an alarm with a camera. Having an alarm can deter squatters. If it has a camera and cloud storage, you will also have evidence to justify the break-in and the use of force.
7. Rent out your home. If you are away from your Spanish home for long periods of time, renting it out may be an option to avoid squatting. This ensures that the property will be maintained and also provide you with some income.
8. Avoid putting up ‘For Sale’ or ‘To Let’ signs. Don’t place signs on your balcony or terrace advertising that you want to sell or rent the property, as this is another tempting treat for squatters. Instead, use online platforms and only indicate the approximate location of your property. Those interested in your property will contact you or the estate agency and will have to identify themselves in order to visit the property.