The building laws are very different

You may have read about the residents in the Parque de las Naciones urbanisation in Torrevieja who have received letters from the Town Hall, ordering them to pull down extensions to their homes.

Several houses have had existing patios glazed in, which has not extended the houses as such, although the enclosed area is now greater. Others have added glass and aluminium conservatories built on the flat roof of the property, which is somewhat different as it does extend the house, even though it is upwards rather than outwards.

In most cases in England* they would not have needed permission to carry out this work. In Spain though, the laws are very different.

It appears that none of these extensions were approved by the Town Hall who are now refusing to release the certificates of habitation until they are removed. Misguided builders assured these people that they didn't need permission to have these extensions built because they were constructed of glass and aluminium and would be classed as temporary structures. Obviously they were wrong.

It is not uncommon for unlicensed extensions or properties to be allowed to remain if a licence is applied and paid for retrospectively, along with a fine sometimes but you can't count on it.

Our builder, Aurelio Murcia, has advised several residents here that the local town hall are very unlikely to grant permission for any extensions to the houses at Villas Andrea. However, several houses have had extensions built which I assume they had permission for. I know for sure that my English neighbours had permission for their conservatory and pool.

The best advice must surely be not to take anything for granted; consult the local town hall before building anything on your property.

* As my friend Pete points out things are very different in conservation areas where you have to get permission to even put up a satellite dish.

PS I understand that in some localities you even have to seek permission to erect a wooden shed.