The Decree to regularize houses in Andalucia is now in force
Monday, March 5, 2012 @ 2:31 PM
AUAN, 5th March 2012
The new decree, recently approved by the Junta de Andalucía, to regularize an estimated 300,000 illegal buildings in Andalucía has now come into force. The regional government claims that the decree will standardize the planning situation of these properties and allow access to basic services such as electricity and water.
Access to electricity and water
Commenting on this development a spokesperson for Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No (AUAN), an association of homeowners that has long campaigned on behalf of those who purchased illegal houses in good faith said “In the short term we hope that our town councils take advantage of the ambiguities within the text of this decree to give services to as many people as possible, even if it is only for one year”.
Second class homes
“In the long term, however, we believe that the decree is not the solution we had all hoped for. It creates a second class tier of ‘assimilated’ housing labelled as illegal on the land registry until such time as they become part of a fully approved and implemented urban plan, if that ever happens. The housing market is bad enough without having to pay for the privilege of having a stigmatised house”.
There is a better deal to be had
“Our advice on the matter?” the spokesperson concluded. “Small associations of homeowners such as AUAN in Almeria funded a campaign with their own money to drag these concessions from a reluctant government whilst everyone else sat on their backsides complaining about their lot. We now say there is a better deal to be had.”
There is an election coming
“And remember, there is a regional election on the 25th of March. A change of government, a distinct possibility according to latest polls, could present the chance of a fairer deal for homeowners who purchased in good faith. Why rush?”