Spanish landlord stuck for two years trying to evict tenant who won't leave
A private owner in Valencia, Spain, wants to sell his flat but the tenant refuses to leave, claiming vulnerability. The end-of-contract lawsuit remains unresolved after two years.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
A private landlord in Valencia has spent more than two years and 3,000 euros on lawyers trying to recover his property after the tenant refused to leave when her contract ended in August 2025. The case illustrates the judicial backlog that turns the end of a lease into a dead end for landlords.
The story begins with a mortgage and a mother. A left-wing voter bought a second home so that his mother, who was living in a rented flat, would not end up on the street. When she died, he rented the flat out in **Valencia** for **400 euros** a month. Affordable price, signed contract, everything in order.
## The end of the lease that never ends
In **August 2025** the tenant's contract expired. The owner told her he would not renew because he needed to sell. The answer was a flat no and an invitation to take him to court. She declared herself vulnerable. He filed an eviction lawsuit on grounds of contract expiry.
Today, more than two years later, he still has not recovered the property. The justice system, he says, has yet to do its job. Legal costs have already reached **3,000 euros**. The flat remains occupied.
## The bill for a problem that is not his
The owner does not deny the housing crisis. He calls it very serious. What he does not accept is that a problem the authorities have failed to solve for years should be dumped on private individuals. Some inherited their property. Some spent half their lives paying off a mortgage and going without.
He acknowledges that abuses exist and must be regulated. He calls for affordable rents and public housing. More than ever. Build, invest, manage, govern. And if there are empty flats in the hands of banks or large landlords, look at what to do with them.
## Less supply when landlords give up
His warning is simple: if renting becomes increasingly difficult, some owners will stop renting out their properties. And then there will be even less supply. The circle tightens around those looking for a roof over their heads.
He describes himself as left-wing. He has taken to the streets, been an activist, protested for healthcare, education and social rights. He still believes in those struggles. But he calls for self-criticism: not everything is acceptable just because it comes from our own side. Defending those who cannot afford rent is not the same as turning a property owner into the guilty party.
Decent housing is a right, he concedes. But rights need public policies that make them possible. Meanwhile, he keeps waiting. More than two years. Three thousand euros. And a flat he cannot sell.
The story begins with a mortgage and a mother. A left-wing voter bought a second home so that his mother, who was living in a rented flat, would not end up on the street. When she died, he rented the flat out in **Valencia** for **400 euros** a month. Affordable price, signed contract, everything in order.
## The end of the lease that never ends
In **August 2025** the tenant's contract expired. The owner told her he would not renew because he needed to sell. The answer was a flat no and an invitation to take him to court. She declared herself vulnerable. He filed an eviction lawsuit on grounds of contract expiry.
Today, more than two years later, he still has not recovered the property. The justice system, he says, has yet to do its job. Legal costs have already reached **3,000 euros**. The flat remains occupied.
## The bill for a problem that is not his
The owner does not deny the housing crisis. He calls it very serious. What he does not accept is that a problem the authorities have failed to solve for years should be dumped on private individuals. Some inherited their property. Some spent half their lives paying off a mortgage and going without.
He acknowledges that abuses exist and must be regulated. He calls for affordable rents and public housing. More than ever. Build, invest, manage, govern. And if there are empty flats in the hands of banks or large landlords, look at what to do with them.
## Less supply when landlords give up
His warning is simple: if renting becomes increasingly difficult, some owners will stop renting out their properties. And then there will be even less supply. The circle tightens around those looking for a roof over their heads.
He describes himself as left-wing. He has taken to the streets, been an activist, protested for healthcare, education and social rights. He still believes in those struggles. But he calls for self-criticism: not everything is acceptable just because it comes from our own side. Defending those who cannot afford rent is not the same as turning a property owner into the guilty party.
Decent housing is a right, he concedes. But rights need public policies that make them possible. Meanwhile, he keeps waiting. More than two years. Three thousand euros. And a flat he cannot sell.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (0 replies).
More summaries
-
Left-wing voter: 2 years without regaining his flat and €3,000 in lawyers
A left-wing voter says he has spent over two years trying to recover his flat in Valencia after a €400 contract and €3,000 in lawyers
-
Female infidelity: A third of marriages affected?
An analysis of a specialized forum reveals a debate on the prevalence of female infidelity, with figures suggesting that one third of
-
Left-wing voter evicted by squatters: political narrative breaks
A left-leaning homeowner, whose property has been occupied for a year, writes the epitaph of his political faith. The narrative collapses in his own hallway.
-
Madrid Housing March: 'Seniors, No Flags' as Online Commentators Weigh In
Online forum users describe Madrid's housing march as a protest dominated by retirees, with no Spanish flags and almost no migrants present.
-
Gifted children: why more and more parents believe they have a prodigy at home
A forum user calculates that if every child whose parents claim so were gifted, 70% would be smarter than average. The label has spiralled out of control.
-
No Christmas this year in the heart of Europe
A viral post claims Australia, France and Germany have cancelled their New Year celebrations over Islamist terrorism. There is no official confirmation.