Years of Disruption in Poble-sec

A resident of a building in the Poble-sec neighbourhood filed a formal complaint with the Sindicatura de Greuges in June 2026, detailing years of disruption caused by an illegally occupied flat. According to her account, the flat has been taken over for several years, and the entrance door to the building has remained broken for more than five years. Graffiti marks the walls, and multiple police interventions have occurred following fights. Residents have repeatedly found people sleeping on the staircase and using drugs inside the communal areas. The complainant also reported that firefighters had been called due to "improper manipulation" of the building's water supply by the occupants. Neighbours, many of whom are elderly, have incurred additional expenses and live in fear of reprisals.

City Council and Ombudsman Response

The Barcelona City Council confirmed that the Guardia Urbana has been monitoring the case since mid-2025, following a midnight alert from a patrol. Since then, officers have visited the property to identify occupants and assess potential substandard housing conditions. The council states that uniformed police presence in the area has been reinforced. The Sindicatura de Greuges, in a recently published resolution, found the municipal response to be appropriate. However, it clarified that recovering possession of the flat is the legal responsibility of the owner and generally requires a lengthy judicial process.

The City Council should identify and contact the owner, inform them of the impact on neighbours, and urge legal action.

As a result, the ombudsman has recommended that the Barcelona City Council proactively identify and contact the property owner, inform them of the ongoing disturbances, and urge them to initiate legal proceedings to regain control. It also asked the police to maintain surveillance in the area.

What This Means for Residents

The case highlights ongoing challenges in addressing illegal occupation in residential buildings, particularly where owners are absent or unresponsive. While municipal authorities can monitor and support, they cannot evict occupants without a court order. Residents affected by similar issues are advised to report incidents to the Guardia Urbana and seek assistance through the city’s housing rights portal at the official services charter.

Sources: La Razón Cataluña, Ajuntament de Barcelona.