THE Guardia Civil evicted around 50 long-term residents from a former Torrevieja hotel on Monday after a court ruled that a third-party agency illegally let its rooms.
Approximately 60 Guardia officers took part in the operation at the Hotel Sole Bello on Avenida del Mar in the city’s La Mata district- close to the square and beach.
The people evicted- including young families- said they were not squatters and had contracts with the Mazart Global Group, based in Pilar de la Horadada.
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They told the Informacion newspaper that they paid rents of up to €750 a month plus utilities.
The Hotel Sole Bello is still registered as a three-star hotel with the Valencian government.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, it was converted into long-term accommodation.
The 49 rooms now included kitchens and bathrooms and were offered as residential lets.
The court ruling stated that the right to operate the hotel belonged to Eurointerfisa, the company named on the operating licence issued by Torrevieja Council in 2018.
Residents received formal notice on June 11 that they must leave the premises by 9.15am on Monday.
The Guardia Civil operation passed without serious incident, as residents carried out suitcases, mattresses, clothes, furniture, children’s toys, cots and other belongings from the property.
Some occupants had already left before officers arrived.
Others said they were forced to leave with little more than the clothes they were wearing.
Many of those affected showed rental agreements and proof of payment, maintaining that they had acted in good faith and had no reason to believe the arrangements were unlawful.
Residents had asked Torrevieja Council to postpone the mass eviction until everybody could find somewhere else to live.
A letter sent to the authority in late June said that many of them were extremely vulnerable and despite their circumstances, paid their rent on time.
They pointed out that finding affordable accommodation was very hard during the peak summer holiday season.
Municipal sources told Informacion that affected residents must follow established procedures to request assistance from social services.
Torrevieja council did find temporary housing for a family in Guardamar and was trying to help another.
Many residents however said they had no alternative home following Monday’s eviction.
The premises also brought complaints from some neighbours over allegations concerning crime, noise and antisocial behaviour.
Some tenants admitted there were ‘uncontracted’ guests who did cause problems.
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