Manacor: Landlord Allegedly Threatened Residents and Left Them Without Power and Water for Days

Arrest in Manacor after threats and utility shut-offs

In Manacor the police took a man into custody who is accused of having illegally rented several makeshift apartments and threatening tenants. According to neighbors, some residents reportedly endured up to three days without electricity and running water — a practice that caused outrage in the area around the racecourse.

How it began

The incident came to light when one of the affected people contacted the authorities. He reported that his landlord had put him under heavy pressure by phone and reduced services to enforce demands. Other residents later confirmed to the police that several shacks on the site were being used as homes by people, some of whom are in precarious situations.

Raid and further investigations

Officers from the National Police arrived and apparently discovered several unauthorized living units. The suspect was arrested; charges of coercion and threats have been filed against him. Investigators are also looking into allegations of illegal renting to vulnerable or undocumented persons and the improper distribution of butane gas cylinders, which were said to be potentially dangerous.

Neighbors who preferred to remain anonymous said that tensions had been building for some time: small disputes, unpaid bills, loud phone calls — until it escalated. This does not happen overnight, they say, but is often the end point of a long series of problems.

What the situation means for the island

This case is not isolated. For years there has been growing concern on Mallorca about affordable housing and operators offering quick solutions — without safety standards or valid contracts. Authorities stress that illegal renting not only endangers residents but also burdens the neighborhood.

For those affected, the question remains: where to go now? Social services and local aid organizations are being involved, according to the police, to arrange temporary accommodation and support. The investigations continue, and authorities want to determine whether more people are affected or whether further crimes have been committed.

Anyone in Manacor or elsewhere on the island in a similar situation should contact local social services or the police. No one should have to live for weeks without basic utilities — and certainly not under threats.

I was briefly at the racecourse on Saturday; the conversation on the plaza was loud — people are angry and tired. Cases like this remain, and they demand a clear response from administration and the justice system.