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Following a controversial bout of disputes over illegal property in Valencia, Spain, the European Commission is cracking down on "land-grab" rules that can leave home owners facing huge unexpected bills and the loss of part or all of their Spanish property.
The laws have been used to reclassify rural land as urban without the owners' permission, effectively giving developers compulsory purchase rights on foreign-owned homes at a fraction of the market value.
Unscrupulous developers can claim back existing properties or portions of land, and even charge the occupiers to contribute to the cost of installing roads and drains.
British MP, Michael Cashman, bought the injustice of the law to the attention of the European Parliament this week, highlighting the cases of 15,000 foreign buyers who faced losing second homes in the Valencia region of Spain.
Approximately 20,000 compulsory purchases have so far been allowed by the Valencian authorities under the 1994 land and town planning law. The Spanish Government says the aim was to ensure community development plans were not blocked by individual land-owners.
The rules were amended last December, but according to the Commission, the replacement law (the Ley Urbanistica Valenciana) is still in breach of EU public procurement regulations and therefore fails to protect citizens' rights.
The European Commission released a statement informing the Spanish Government that they have two months to amend the laws in line with EU regulations, declaring that "If no such response if forthcoming, the Commission, supported by the European Parliament, can take Spain to the European Court of Justice in order that citizens' fundamental rights to their homes are respected."
The Labour-Euro MP fighting the corner of the home owners of Valencia told the British Independent Newspaper: "I'm delighted to hear the Commission is continuing action against Spain in what has become a long and painful fight for justice for many affected by this unjust and inhumane law. "I hope that the Spanish national government will take this legal and political opportunity to resolve the problems as soon as possible" he continued.
