The Autonomous Government is drafting legislation to do something about hundreds of thousands of illegal homes in the region.

Andalusia’s regional government, or Junta, is drawing up plans to deal with hundreds of thousands of homes that fall foul of planning laws and the Ley de Costas (Coastal Law), reports the Spanish press.

It’s a problem that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later as it turns off buyers just when the market needs them most. Nevertheless, my guess is it could be years before we see any results.

Difficult as it is to believe, the authorities in Andalucia failed to stop illegal building on a massive scale in recent decades, with around 20,000 illegal homes built in Marbella alone.

In rural areas like the Axarquia and Almanzora Valley, thousands of homes have been illegally built on rustic land, many of them bought by hapless British buyers.

The Junta is reported to be drawing up criteria for legalising homes, implying there will be no blanket amnesty.

Without a blanket amnesty, some homes will remain illegal, with demolition the only solution. That fate may await homes built on specially protected land such as nature reserves, and that fall foul of the Ley de Costas.

The new regulations are being drafted by Andalusia’s Department of Public Works and could force owners to pay the costs of legalising their homes.

There is no news as to when to expect the new rules to come into force. Stay tuned for more information.