In the resort town of Dénia, in the province of Alicante, an elderly couple, Jesús and Rosa, are experiencing a personal tragedy. Their story serves as a vivid example of how an act of kindness can turn into a true catastrophe, jeopardizing not only financial stability but also what is most precious—one’s health. It all began with a gesture of compassion: the couple decided to rent their home to a woman facing a difficult life situation. They even accommodated her by significantly lowering the rent from 800 to 550 euros, trusting her accounts of financial hardship.
However, the story of their good deed quickly came to an end. The tenant paid only for the first two months, after which all payments stopped. Even the electricity and water bills were left unpaid. When the contract expired on April 30, the woman flatly refused to vacate the property. For the owners, both in their eighties, the stress proved overwhelming. Jesús suffered a heart attack, while doctors diagnosed Rosa with cancer. Their peaceful retirement turned into an endless battle for their own property—and for survival.
The situation is further complicated by a legal conundrum. The woman living in the house claims her ‘vulnerability,’ which effectively ties the hands of the justice system and prolongs the eviction process indefinitely. This case has sparked heated debates in society about what to call such tenants. Some experts insist that she is merely a ‘persistent non-payer,’ since she moved in lawfully, under contract. Others argue that the neologism ‘inquiookupa’—a blend of ‘inquilino’ (tenant) and ‘okupa’ (squatter)—is a more fitting description for such cases.
This dispute over terminology, ignited by the drama of real individuals, has exposed a serious problem in the legislation. While lawyers and journalists argue, the elderly couple remain prisoners in their own nightmare. Rosa herself has a much simpler and more frightening word for the situation. She believes their tenant is neither an ‘okupa’ nor a ‘non-payer,’ but simply a ‘thief.’ According to her, this woman has not only stolen their money but the life savings they invested in that small house—their only asset.
At present, the couple has filed an eviction lawsuit, but Spain’s judicial system is known for its slow pace. They are advised to be patient, yet each passing day drains them of their remaining strength and health. Experts warn that turning to private eviction firms will not fundamentally solve the issue and may even make it worse. The story of Jesús and Rosa is not just an isolated case, but a troubling sign of how vulnerable law-abiding citizens can be in the face of a flawed system.
