Maura Hillen awarded MBE for services to illegal home owners in Spain

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From the British Embassy in Spain today comes the following exciting news.

Maura Hillen, homeowners’ champion, receives honorary MBE
 
The leader of an association representing owners of illegal homes in Andalucia has been appointed an honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to the British community in Spain.
The award to Mrs Maura Hillen, an Irish national, reflects her work as President and spokesperson of Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No! (AUAN), which campaigns for the legalisation of homes in the Almanzora Valley, where thousands of properties – mostly British owned – have lacked a final habitation certificate since they were built some 10 to 15 years ago.
Maura Hillen, president AUAN
Maura Hillen, president AUAN
 
Under Maura Hillen’s leadership, AUAN – which in English translates to ‘No to Urban Planning Abuse in Almanzora’ – lobbies the Spanish authorities at local, regional and national level for the legalisation of homes, to get them properly connected to water and electricity, with mitigation of the costs of doing so, and information and support for affected home owners. AUAN has some 500 members, mostly British but also Belgian and Irish nationals.
The British Ambassador to Spain, Simon Manley, said:

“Since 2008, Maura Hillen MBE has made a tireless contribution towards resolving the property problems that affect thousands of British homeowners in Spain. I am very pleased that Her Majesty The Queen has approved this honour, which recognises her dedication and resilience.

“Under her leadership, AUAN is a professionally-run, well-respected organisation that has secured expert legal advice and in turn proposed realistic solutions to the Spanish regional and national authorities.

“In March last year, the Criminal Code was modified following proposals from AUAN that judges take into account that most owners purchased in good faith, and that compensation should be paid prior to any demolition.  That was a significant step forward in reforming a legal system that AUAN argued had failed adequately to recognise the rights of homeowners or compensate for their losses.

“I know Maura intends to keep campaigning for more action to resolve outstanding cases and to increase the legal security for future buyers.”
Maura Hillen MBE, president of AUAN, said:
“I am very pleased and delighted to accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of every member of AUAN who has also played no small part in defending the rights of homeowners in Spain, most especially committee members, past and present, and those that came before me as president of AUAN.
“This award is a recognition and vindication of their efforts and perseverance as much as it is of mine.”
Mrs Hillen is also Councillor for Tourism & International Relations in Albox, Almeria, and a deputy mayor.

4 Replies to “Maura Hillen awarded MBE for services to illegal home owners in Spain”

  1. I have read about the fantastic work that Maura Hillen MBE, has done for the people who have problems in Spain. I would like to contact her to ask, if she would be able to help me with a problem, concerning a deposit on an apartment in Roquetas de Mar, Almeria. Would it be possible to contact her in the near future? Thank you

  3. Have you stated that Homes in Spain owed out right and (not illegal) by the British will be taken by the Spanish government since Brexit how true is this? I’ve owed my home for over 14 years and it’s fully legal.

  4. I understand that Europe will also take our souls and send us to work in the guano mines to produce fertiliser for their farms to make up for the money we won’t contribute to the CAP. 😉

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