The increase of private eviction firms in the Canary Islands sparks legal concerns
The controversial business of so-called “desokupa” companies – private eviction firms that claim to remove squatters from properties – is growing in the Canary Islands, despite ongoing doubts about the legality of their methods.
In 2024, there were 663 official complaints of illegal occupation across the archipelago (361 in the province of Las Palmas and 302 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife), representing just 0.06% of the total housing stock. Yet the number of private eviction firms operating in the islands is multiplying.
The issue has resurfaced following the arrest in Granadilla de Abona (south Tenerife) of the manager of Ez Property Solutions, accused of threats and coercion against the Civil Guard. Another employee was also detained after allegedly assaulting an officer during the same incident.
Legal grey area
Formally, these businesses can register as ordinary companies. However, Spanish law is clear: only a judge can order and execute an eviction under the Civil Procedure Law and Law 5/2018, which introduced a faster legal mechanism against unlawful occupation.
While desokupa firms advertise “mediation” and “access control”, in practice their actions often stray into intimidation, coercion or threats, which are criminal offences. Lawyers warn that not only company staff, but also the property owner who hires them, could face prosecution.
Selling fear
The success of these companies is fuelled by public anxiety around squatting. Marketing tactics emphasise speed: while court procedures may take months, firms promise a “solution” in days. This contrast appeals to frustrated landlords but offers no legal guarantees.
Nationwide, Spain registered 16,426 complaints for squatting or unlawful entry in 2024, with the Canaries accounting for just a fraction. Critics argue that desokupa companies amplify the perception of a widespread crisis to sustain their business model.
Repeat controversies
Ez Property Solutions has been linked to other violent incidents in Tenerife, including a 2024 case where members were reported for assaulting a social activist during an attempted eviction. These episodes undermine the firms’ claims of using “peaceful methods”.
The safe route
Legal experts stress that the judicial route is the only lawful guarantee for regaining a property. Though not immediate, the expedited procedure introduced by Law 5/2018 ensures evictions are carried out without risk of criminal liability for owners.
In a property market as sensitive as the Canaries, where demand is high and housing access is a pressing social issue, observers warn that opting for a quick but unlawful fix may ultimately cost owners more than the occupation itself.
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