Madrid's anti-squatting hotline 900 205 112, launched by the regional government three years ago, has fielded 4,582 calls and prevented 50 usurpation attempts. The service coordinates police response and provides legal and psychological support to victims. Experts stress acting within the first 48-72 hours to deter intruders.
At Madrid's Agency for Security and Emergencies 112, the anti-squatting hotline fields a daily stream of anxious calls. Launched three years ago by the regional government, it aims to provide initial support for usurpation or home invasion attempts. It has handled 4,582 calls and stopped 50 attempts, according to Carlos Salmerón, head of the Municipal Coordination Center (CECOM).
The service promptly dispatches the local police, which typically arrives first, coordinating with other security forces. "Additionally, once an occupation has unfortunately occurred, we guide rightful owners on what to do or where to go to start procedures," Salmerón explains. It offers psychological support, social assistance, and legal backing through an agreement with the College of Lawyers and Procurators of Madrid, providing free aid to those who haven't filed a criminal complaint.
Salmerón emphasizes that spotting an occupation within the first 72 hours is crucial, ideally before 48. "As soon as we learn of it, we send police, and their mere presence is enough to deter them. Most flee," he details. A telling case happened on August 5 in Miraflores de la Sierra: a resident alerted after spotting suspicious activity at a vacant Sareb-owned hotel. Within 30 minutes, local police and Civil Guard cleared the intruders.
Squatting impacts not just second homes but primary residences and commercial spaces. Beyond 72 hours, owners may face complex legal battles to prove ownership. The service supplies procedural representation and care at Victim Assistance Offices (OAVD). It advises fostering good neighbor ties for quick alerts, as in July when a man in Malaysia reported an attempt in Hortaleza, where squatters had breached a wall; police sirens drove them off.
Squatters employ tactics like scouting sales portals or real estate viewings. Notably, the hotline has received 11 calls from illegal occupants seeking tips to avoid eviction, which are denied. Recovering a property takes one year via civil route or 1.5 years via penal, per the regional government.