A concerned resident has raised the alarm over what she describes as a sophisticated scam involving the illegal occupation and subletting of privately owned properties in the Costa Teguise area of Lanzarote.
According to her account, two men are allegedly targeting unoccupied homes, unlawfully taking possession of them, and then charging unsuspecting tenants to move in, essentially running an illicit rental business without any legal claim to any of the properties.
The situation first came to light when her brother, who had rented out his property to a couple two years ago, stopped receiving rent payments in April 2024. Although the couple were ultimately evicted earlier this year, the neighbour soon noticed suspicious activity involving two individuals she believes were assisting the former tenants. She reported seeing the pair frequently visiting the property in the days leading up to the eviction, raising her concerns.
She now alleges that these two men are at the centre of what she calls a “squatters estate agency”, a network that identifies empty homes, occupies them illegally, and then sublets them for profit. In one instance, she says, the same people secured another property just 100 metres away and arranged for the previous occupants of her brother’s house to move in there.
“From what I understand, the police know exactly who these people are,” the resident said, suggesting that other complaints may have already been filed against them.
Her brother eventually regained control of his property through a formal eviction order after involving the Guardia Civil. However, fearing further attempts to reclaim the house, he was forced to hire private security guards when the two men reportedly returned night after night to see if they could re-enter. “By the third night, they were simply checking to see if the security was still in place,” she explained.
The pair are now allegedly occupying another nearby property, which the resident says belongs to two German sisters who inherited it following their parents’ deaths. One of the owners has since travelled to Lanzarote to begin legal proceedings to have them removed.
“It’s a constant feeling of uncertainty and helplessness,” the neighbour said. “In the past six months alone, the police have had to come here 15 times.”
Following the eviction, the family discovered extensive damage to the property. “The kitchen extractor hood had completely melted, there were holes in the walls, broken door frames, dirty marks everywhere, and even pasta stuck to the ceiling, it looked like a war zone,” she said.
This case has heightened concerns among residents in Costa Teguise about illegal occupation, the burden it places on local law enforcement, and the emotional and financial strain it causes for property owners who find themselves caught in such distressing circumstances.
