Squatters list occupied Spanish flat as tourist rental and pocket large sums

The illegal occupation of homes and their subsequent use as unlicensed tourist rentals causes a double harm: legal insecurity for the owner and unfair competition in the tourism sector.

## The business of illegal occupation

The news that squatters have listed an occupied property as a tourist rental, collecting **substantial sums**, reveals yet another facet of the complex problem of illegal occupation. Without a licence to operate as tourist accommodation, this activity takes place outside the law. Not only does it create unfair competition for legitimate tourism businesses, it also brings a series of financial and legal consequences for the original owners of the properties. The situation worsens when the occupants' alleged vulnerability is invoked to avoid eviction.

## Consequences for the owner

When an occupied property is used illegally for tourism purposes, the repercussions for the owner can be severe. In this case, it is reported that **Hacienda** (the Spanish tax authority) has fined the owner and garnished their payslip. This is because the income generated by the tourist rental must be declared and taxed. Failing to do so amounts to tax fraud. The lack of a licence for tourist use aggravates the situation, as the authorities detect the activity but cannot regulate or tax it properly, with responsibility ultimately falling on the registered owner of the property, even if they have no control over its use.

## An unsustainable model

The situation described, where homes are occupied and profited from through illegal tourist rentals, paints a picture that is unsustainable both economically and socially. The failure to evict on grounds of alleged vulnerability, while substantial income is being generated, raises serious doubts about the effectiveness of current policies. The practice of joining a golf club, as mentioned, adds a touch of irony to the situation, suggesting a lifestyle that contrasts with the illegality of its income source. Such practices not only harm owners and the tourism sector, but also erode trust in the system and legal certainty.