In the picturesque town of Corralejo, located in the municipality of La Oliva, 123 villas and duplexes belonging to the urbanization Mirador de Lobos stand as homes to nearly 123 families, most of whom have children. These families have lived under the looming threat of eviction for years, a fear that has intensified with the impending auction of their rented homes. This auction is the result of the property’s owner’s staggering debt of approximately 36 million euros.
The anxiety of eviction isn’t the only burden these families face. Since 2022, they have had to rely on water tankers—five, eight, or ten at a time—to bring in water after it was cut off due to unpaid bills by the owning company. Protest banners at the edge of the urbanization poignantly convey their helplessness, often finishing with the rallying cry: ‘They won’t move us from here.’
Once a luxurious resort complex featuring fancy villas with pools and a golf course, the Mirador de Lobos has left behind only traces of its former glory: a few sculptures, plastic remnants of drainage systems, and abandoned golf carts tucked in corners. Between 2003 and 2008, an investment of 15.3 million euros led to the construction of 150 villas and duplexes; however, only 27 are privately owned. The community battles against neglect, characterized by the sight of discarded mattresses in vacant plots, but their spirit remains resolute, striving for dignity in their living conditions.
Many residents, after signing long-term rental agreements, find themselves trapped in a precarious situation. One tenant shared her experience, having paid a staggering 10,000 euros upfront for a year of rent to Dunas Pozo Servicios SL. Others, likewise, secured their homes by paying for multiple years in advance, only to feel abandoned.
Walking through the old complex, several villas stand firm, maintained by their tenants. One such renter reflected on how they diligently paid their rent, yet Dunas consistently ignored maintenance requests. When their water was cut off due to the owner’s unpaid debts, they had to rely on water trucks to survive.
The woes of the tenants escalated when Dunas Pozo Servicios SL declared bankruptcy in 2017. Leaseholders started sending payments to the court-appointed administrator, but they still had to pay contributions to the social security system and taxes stemming from the old management company’s debts. Despite this shift, basic services like public lighting and garden maintenance were still non-existent. The residents learned to fend for themselves, often shelling out their own money to address necessities.
Amidst ongoing uncertainty and the dread of eviction, the recent announcement of an impending auction prompted more anxiety. The details were shrouded in confusion, with many in the community unable to understand the implications. After years of renting, including some who have lived there for up to a decade, news of the bulk sale of their homes has left them feeling powerless.
Even when seeking legal counsel, conflicting advice has only added to their distress. Each attorney seems to provide a different perspective, leaving tenants in a fog about their futures. In response, the residents of Mirador de Lobos are vocal about their desires: to remain in the homes they’ve rented, nurturing their families.
Auction Deadline Approaches
As reported by Diario de Fuerteventura, the auction of the 123 lots began in April and is set to conclude on May 16. The creditor in this case is Banco Santander, with Dunas Pozo Servicios SL as the debtor of the loan.
According to reports, each plot of land holds an estimated area of 330 square meters, with a suggested selling price of 236,250 euros. However, during the auction, the value of each villa is projected to skyrocket to 239,059 euros. Should the auction yield successful bids for all properties at that price, the total revenue could reach around 29.4 million euros.
Since 2017, this former luxury resort has been embroiled in a tangled web of legal disputes, both in commercial and social courts, primarily due to failures to pay employees. This series of events culminated in the auction that now threatens the stability of these 123 families.
With only a week left before the auction’s end, life continues in the urbanization, albeit under the cloud of uncertainty. A young woman walks her dog, while tenants are busy working in various segments of Corralejo’s hospitality industry. Water tankers are seen finishing their deliveries for the day, as the serene backdrop of Isla de Lobos silently witnesses the turmoil surrounding these residents.
