A squatter goes on holiday and comes back to find another squatter has taken her place — it sounds like a parody, but according to Spanish press reports, it’s a real case that aired this summer on Antena 3.
Squatters fighting over squats
The story centres on Raquel, who had been living irregularly in a flat for a decade before heading off on holiday to the Dominican Republic. While she was away, another squatter — Leidy — moved in, having been tipped off by María, a woman Raquel had previously allowed to stay with her but later kicked out.
María, apparently still nursing a grudge, posted an online ad offering the property, which Leidy and friends quickly took up. From the Caribbean, Raquel joined a live TV programme to defend her “right” to return, arguing she had documents proving her ten-year occupancy. Leidy countered that Raquel had no claim since she wasn’t the owner either.
Public spectacle
The saga quickly descended into a media circus. María made light of the affair on social media with the line “You snooze, you lose”, while Leidy threatened legal action if Raquel accused her of paying to get into the flat.
It’s a vivid example of how Spain’s squatting problem — already one of the most sensitive issues for property owners and tenants — can morph into surreal dramas. According to official figures, 2024 registered the third-highest number of illegal occupations since 2010, up 7.4% year-on-year. While most cases involve empty or second homes, stories like this underline how chaotic the situation can become.
The bigger picture
Beyond the tabloid-worthy twists, the case illustrates the uncertainty owners face when dealing with okupas, as squatters are called in Spanish. Even within squatter communities, disputes over “rights” to illegally occupied homes are escalating — leaving property owners further sidelined.
For now, Raquel is still trying to reclaim her place, Leidy is digging in, and María is enjoying the spectacle. Meanwhile, Spanish property owners will look on shaking their heads, reminded yet again why squatting remains one of their greatest fears.
