Raid in Manacor: 11 Illegal Dwellings Seized

In Manacor, investigators found 11 provisional accommodations on a plot of land — without electricity, often without running water. Property owners face steep penalties.

Raid in Manacor: 11 provisional accommodations seized

In the late morning, the National Police discovered a total of eleven illegal dwellings on a fenced property on the edge of Manacor. According to the officers, the discovery was the result of a check prompted by tips from neighbors. On site, a picture emerged that summed up the island's housing problems: makeshift rooms, hardly any electrical installations, and shared sanitation facilities.

No electricity, little water, a lot of trash

The officers reported deteriorating electrical wiring, some exposed cables, and lack of safety measures. In several accommodations there was neither running water nor functioning toilets; showers were used collectively outside the individual units. Trash and organic waste lay scattered, and in some corners the smell was unpleasant. A bystander who lives nearby told me: \"People have heard about this for a while, but no one knew who lived there. Now it's out.\"

Such conditions are not only unhygienic, they are also dangerous. Unstable walls and makeshift roofs pose collapse risks, especially when rain comes — and a heavy shower was forecast for the weekend.

Landlords in the crosshairs

A case has been opened against the owner of the property. According to the authorities, he is said to have charged rents even though the accommodations did not meet legal minimum standards. Violations of housing and building regulations can result in fines — in serious cases, investigators say, they can amount to up to 90,000 euros per dwelling.

Whether and how many people actually lived in the accommodations is still being investigated. Early indications suggest that the residents were mainly low-income workers; some neighbors spoke of families, others of seasonal workers. The police are now collecting testimonies, photos and measurement data to assess the situation legally.

A symptom of the housing shortage

The incident is not solely the fault of a single landlord. Many on Mallorca know the tight housing market: scarce offers, rising prices, few affordable options for people with low incomes. Such loopholes are apparently being used — or exploited.

Municipal authorities and social services face the task of organizing short-term help for those affected and finding long-term solutions. Agencies dealing with homelessness and local aid organizations have been informed and should assess whether immediate assistance is needed.

What must happen next

Investigations continue. It is important that local residents are offered protection and alternatives, rather than just displacement. At the same time, it must be examined how owners who intentionally disregard minimum standards can be held to account in a meaningful way.

For the neighborhood, the hope remains that this action is a wake-up call — for both authorities and landlords: housing must not be a trap. I will stay on the case and report as soon as there are new developments.