Squatting in Spain: Understanding Spain's "okupas" problem

> The battle against squatting in Spain is not only a legal skirmish but also a deeply personal and emotional one for many property owners. The stories of those who have endured the frustration and helplessness of having their properties occupied illicitly are both compelling and heart-wrenching. These narratives underscore the profound impact that squatting can have on individuals, extending far beyond the financial losses to include significant emotional distress and a sense of violation. [...]

> Property owners have shared experiences of feeling powerless as they grapple with the lengthy and often cumbersome legal process to evict squatters.

Those poor landlords! Property owners are truly the most oppressed minority in Spain. It's heart-wrenchingly sad hearing their accounts of legal procedures and having to evict people living in their properties:(

One thing I don't get -- if the law doesn't help why don't the owners of these properties release fart spray everywhere and turn the heat up to max until it is unlivable?

Why would anyone invest in development in a country with such laws?

> why don't the owners of these properties release fart spray everywhere and turn the heat up to max until it is unlivable?

If the okupas have been there for longer than 48 hours without you trying to get rid of them, doing something like that could be considered harassment and/or endangering the occupants' health, so you'd probably face criminal charges for it. You're not allowed to alter the living conditions to force them out, but you need to (within 48 hours of the occupation) legally get them out of the property.

Because we have doors and windows closed, so in reality this isn't a huge issue. But historically, we've had huge issues with low employment, poverty and empty houses being all around you, while you cannot afford rent.

Lots of empty houses + no employment + no money for rent = lets take this house and live in since no one lives there and we don't have a house currently.

Basically, if you buy property, make sure to close it and install a security system. If okupas appear, do the "legal fasttrack" and get them out within 48 hours and it won't be an issue.