Title guarantee gives buyers in Spain peace of mind in middle of illegal property blight, it is clai

One couple who have not been put off are Paul and Shani La Frenais who are buying a three bedroom finca with Roman style pool set within private grounds in Lliber, near Alicante on the Costa Blanca, an area where around 300 family homes are now considered illegal.
 
The couple from Newark, Nottinghamshire, wanted to move to Lliber because it has an international school for their 12 year old son.
 
‘We love Spain and have travelled widely around the country before settling on this particular location. Currently we are living in rented accommodation which has enabled us to acclimatise to the Spanish lifestyle and also to do our homework in terms of the feasibility of purchasing in an area that is sadly blighted by corrupt local officials who allowed building to commence without everything being in order,’ explained Paul.
 
The blighted properties in the area are without mains water, the majority have dubious electricity connections and none of them has the final habitation certificate. The difficulties have arisen because of agreements made between former town hall officials and developers which allowed them to build with licences granted by the Town Hall but without the authority of the regional Government.
 
From 1999 to 2004 an estimated £60 million was paid to the developers by unsuspecting buyers. The situation is now in the hands of the new Major in the hope that all houses and land can be re classified to allow the homes to become legal.
 
‘Nothing in life is guaranteed. Even the house that we are buying, could, in future be classified as urbanistic land and as such we could be asked to pay to upgrade roads, connect water etc. Having said that, I have trusted an English lawyer who has worked in Spain for many years,’ said Paul.
 
He has also bought through an official IASPP Safe Purchase Estate Agent, which has included a 20 year guarantee that protects the rights to the property title. This has given us added peace of mind,’ he said.
 
According to Christopher Hara the owner of Premier Villas Spain, the scheme takes away the worry that buyers might have over titles. ‘We have sold over 100 properties in the Costa Blanca North without any complaints regarding the legal side of buying in the region. I feel that there is often more concern from the British before they get here, but once they see for themselves the value for money homes, and the many happy residents, they tend to appreciate that life in Spain is very sweet,’ he said.
 
‘Being able to offer clients the advantage of an IASPP Safe Purchase Guarantee is important to us. We want clients to buy with confidence. Including the guarantee with each sale gives buyers excellent legal support and financial compensation in the event of a monetary loss in the future,’ he added.
 
Ian Hawkins, Director of Safe Purchase Spain said that the Spanish market should not be avoided by potential purchasers. Buyers should take steps to educate themselves and seek out the best industry professionals.