Lorraine Williamson
What began as a promising property rental on the sunny Costa del Sol turned into a legal and financial ordeal for a local homeowner. Alicia Gómez, who let out her apartment in Fuengirola to a couple with an affluent social media presence, has come forward with a stark warning for other landlords: Spain’s rental system is broken — and it’s landlords who pay the price.
The couple who rented Alicia’s flat presented themselves as successful entrepreneurs. Their social media feeds boasted luxury holidays, designer clothes, and fine dining. But the reality behind closed doors was very different.
“Within weeks of moving in, they stopped paying the rent,” Alicia recalls. “They were living a fantasy online while not paying a cent.”
Locked out of her own home
Despite months of non-payment, Alicia was unable to recover her property for over two years. Spain’s tenant-friendly laws meant eviction was slow, stressful, and expensive. Legal delays and procedural hurdles meant she couldn’t regain access — even as the rent arrears mounted.
Eventually, the tenants vacated the apartment voluntarily — not out of goodwill, but to avoid being officially evicted, which could have impacted their legal record.
Home stripped and vandalised
When Alicia finally stepped back into her home, the shock was overwhelming. The property was in disrepair. Fixtures and appliances — including the boiler, washing machine and hob — had been taken. What remained was broken or damaged.
The total loss? Over €10,000 in property damage, on top of more than €20,000 in unpaid rent.
Owners left unprotected
To add insult to injury, Alicia had to shoulder all legal and practical costs herself. “They had free legal aid,” she says. “I paid for everything — even the locksmith just to get in.”
Her children had to help cover some of the expenses. But the emotional toll, she says, was worse. “It felt like the system just didn’t care. I was completely on my own.”
“I’ll never rent again”
Now, Alicia is calling for urgent reform. “The laws are designed to protect tenants, even the dishonest ones,” she says. “Landlords have no rights. I’ll never rent out my home again.”
Her story is far from unique. Similar complaints are emerging across Spain — particularly in tourist hotspots like Fuengirola, where long-term rentals are often seen as steady investments.
Calls grow for legal reform
With rising reports of tenants abusing rental protections, calls are growing for a more balanced legal framework. Critics argue that while vulnerable tenants must be shielded from exploitation, unscrupulous renters should not be able to take advantage of generous eviction laws without consequence.
Spain’s housing ministry has faced mounting pressure to address the legal imbalance — but for landlords like Alicia, change can’t come soon enough.
A warning for landlords on the Costa del Sol
As Fuengirola continues to attract both tourists and property investors, Alicia’s experience serves as a cautionary tale. The sunny promise of rental income can quickly sour if legal safeguards are lacking. For many homeowners, the risk is no longer worth it — unless the law steps in to restore some balance.
Source: El Debate