SOHA warns against bogus Junta help ads

SAVE OUR HOMES AXARQUIA (SOHA) has reported a scam allegedly targeting owners of illegally built houses in the area.

Some 60,000 families in Malaga, a third of them in the Axarquia area, are affected by the Junta de Andalucia decree which aims to legalise houses built on non-urban land, and most of them will need the services of professionals.

However, the association, which represents more than 400 homeowners, have reported to the Guardia Civil in Malaga that adverts are being placed in the English-language press (not EWN) distributed in the area by people claiming to be authorized by the Junta de Andalucia to manage the procedure to legalise homes.

They aim to take advantage of people who are unaware of the laws, SOHA claims.

Many of the adverts even carry the Junta de Andalucia logo. Some offer non-obligation quotes and other say homeowners only have 12 months to make their homes legal.

The only way to contact the so-called experts is by phone. The President of SOHA, Phillip Smalley, told a local Spanish daily that he has received many offers from lawyers and advisors.

SOHA is advising people to wait, as they are hoping that the Junta de Andalucia will hear their demands and grant amnesty to illegal houses.

Alcaucin Urban Development Councillor and SOHA member, Mario Blancke, confirms that they have been receiving queries from people asking how long they have to legalise their homes. He also suspects a scam, according to local Press reports.

By Jennifer Leighfield
jennifer@euroweeklynews.com