Marbella council says “get rid of the eyesore, or we’ll take back the land” – New law to reclaim unfinished buildings

Marbella council, as much as the people of the city, are sick to the back teeth of all the unfinished, unkempt plots of land with half-finished constructions of buildings that were never to be, and so have signed a new bylaw with a clear, no-nonsense message: Finish it, or sell it!

Residents and council members share deep frustration over eyesores that blight streets and pose risks to safety. A fresh new bylaw now gives owners just one year to act or face forced sale of their plots and incomplete structures.

New register targets problem sites

Local authorities created the Municipal Register of Vacant Plots and Dilapidated Buildings, known as RMSER, which has just entered into force. This list covers empty urban plots equipped with basic services but left undeveloped, halted construction projects abandoned after licences expired or were cancelled, substandard properties lacking proper living conditions or safety standards, and structures deemed ruined under Andalucian territory sustainability law.

The town hall describes the measure as a practical tool to tackle public health hazards, magnets for grafitti and rubbish, dangers to passers-by and damage to the built environment caused by neglect. Owners must now meet their legal duty to conserve and develop land properly.

Strict deadlines and enforcement options

Property holders will receive formal notification once inclusion in the register occurs. Notes appear in the land registry with real charge effects in cases of compulsory sale. Failure to comply within 12 months will cause confiscation of the land and substitution works, where the council or an approved third party steps in to complete or demolish as needed.

Costs will fall back on the original owner. Persistent inaction can lead to compulsory auction of the site. In ruin cases, owners choose full restoration or demolition followed by new build where rules allow. Judicially cancelled licences require fresh applications or clearance within the same timeframe.

Council gains powers over stalled projects

Should auctions attract no buyers, Marbella council may claim the land for its council housing stock. Urgent safety steps apply immediately where risks exist. The rule also makes basic standards of hygiene and appearance during any justified delays. Similar steps have already been taken in neighbouring towns, such as Torremolinos.

Supporters view this as a direct response to long-standing complaints from locals tired of derelict zones. Early signs suggest stronger accountability for developers and landowners across the city.