Spain Enforces Coastal Property Laws; Owners Fear Loss of Homes

VALENCIA, Spain -- BY CIARAN GILES

Associated Press

It's been the dream of millions -- a home by the sea in sunny Spain. People from all over Europe have invested hard-earned savings in coastal villas and apartments.

Now a government drive to clean up Spain's concrete-filled coastline after decades of abuse may wash away many of those dreams like castles of sand.

Enforcing a much-neglected 1988 law, the Socialist government is getting tough about what constitutes coastal public domain -- the strip of land stretching back from the water's edge -- and telling thousands of house and apartment owners their properties do not really belong to them.

''Out of the blue we've been told the house we have owned for more than 30 years is no longer ours,'' said retired British electronics engineer Clifford Carter, 59, who lives with his Spanish wife in La Casbah, a beachside complex in eastern Spain.

http://www.miamiherald.com/business/story/528964.html

By miamimike on May 12, 2008, 03:23 in Off Topic.

kalder says on May 12, 2008, 04:32:

The irony being that it was the PSOE barons in the coastal towns who were largely responsible for flogging that land off to developers in the first palce.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

slguy says on May 12, 2008, 06:57:

i see you've rejoined the multi-worded clan, kalder. ;)

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

kalder says on May 12, 2008, 09:02:

Perhaps.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

slguy says on May 12, 2008, 09:03:

PSOE?

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

kalder says on May 12, 2008, 09:04:

Partido Socialista Obrero Español

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

kalder says on May 12, 2008, 09:05:

The local branches have a considerable reputation for corruption; central office much less so.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

slguy says on May 12, 2008, 09:28:

thanks.

wait! are you sayiing that our socialist brethren have the capacity for placing self-intterest above that of "the people"?

i'm shocked.

Before you throw me out, make sure I pay my bar tab

miamimike says on May 12, 2008, 12:12:

The above article makes a good case for renting only in latin american countries. Our PBH--GIB made this case many times for Americans wanting to live/retire in Colombia. Look at the many Americans who bought in Nicaragua and now that EX Contra Prez Daniel Ortega is back(and a buen amigo of Castro/morlaes/chavez), they would like to bail out and sell but cannot. Caveat emptor. The ground Rules in many of these countries can change anytime and who is left holding the Bag?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? ... That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.,

Ekdog says on Jun 9, 2008, 22:41:

Daniel Ortega an ex-contra? I think you're a little confused, Mike.

docwilliam says on Jun 10, 2008, 13:01:

It can get confusing sometimes, this is over 20 years old already.

"The World Court found that the United States had violated international law by supporting Contra guerrillas in their war against the Nicaraguan government..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicaragua_vs._United_States

"There's no time to panic"