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Government concerned by squatter problem
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There have been increasing problems resulting from squatters illegally occupying Government owned properties which in turn, affects respective allocation to persons on the Housing Waiting List.
Although the matter is not an extensive local problem, the Government says it will take whatever measures are necessary in order to ensure that these properties are recuperated as quickly as possible.
In addition, the Government will shortly be publicising the sale of numerous empty pre-war properties. Priority will be given to persons on the Housing Waiting List. Tender applications will also be welcome from Government tenants wishing to surrender their Government rented properties as part of the purchase.
Minister for Housing and the Elderly Charles Bruzon said: “I would like to focus on two main issues: squatters and empty properties.
"Firstly, I am particularly concerned about squatters entering Government rented accommodation which have been lying empty for long periods of time. This is why Government is taking immediate action to refurbish many properties that were abandoned by the former administration and left derelict. I must stress that we take a very serious view of squatting and will pursue whatever it takes, together with the Royal Gibraltar Police, to ensure that such opportunism, mainly from outside nationals, is considerably minimised.
"On my second point, the Government will put out to sale empty Government pre-war properties so that these are available for purchase by persons already on the
Housing Waiting Lists and/or Government tenants interested in purchasing a property who already pay rent but are willing to surrender their Government owned properties, as part of the sale.”
The above two factors will inevitably help those applicants on the Housing Waiting Lists.
19-04-12
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