Spain told evictions contravene EU consumer law

THE European Court of Justice yesterday ruled that Spain’s ­repossession laws violate EU law protecting consumers.

Judges said unfair mortgage terms often prevented people from challenging eviction in Spanish courts, contrary to EU rules. More than 350,000 Spaniards have received eviction ­orders since 2008 for being unable to pay their mortgages, though Spanish law required them to keep stumping up. At least five people have killed themselves since last autumn because they faced eviction.

Ada Colau, spokeswoman for the Stop Evictions platform, said the ruling could be used to put thousands of evictions on hold.