It sounds like a headline pulled from a legal drama, yet for one elderly property owner it became an all too real shock. After years spent fighting to regain control of his own building, an 80 year old man was confronted not with relief, but with a six figure water bill. A story that begins with illegal occupation ends with a question many property owners quietly fear: who pays when everything goes wrong?
Squatters Take Over An Elderly Man’s Building
Selim, a former shopkeeper from Saint Ouen, had always seen his building as the reward for decades of hard work. Like many people of his generation, he believed property offered security, something solid to pass on. That sense of certainty vanished when squatters moved into his building without permission.
For years, the property was effectively lost to him. Neighbours recall a constant stream of unfamiliar faces, makeshift bedding dragged through communal areas and rubbish accumulating in corners where it had no business being. Anyone who has lived near an illegally occupied building will recognise the unease it brings. You sense something is wrong, but feel powerless to change it.
For Selim, the emotional weight was heavy. The building was not just an asset on paper. It was a symbol of stability, now slowly degrading while legal procedures moved at a painfully slow pace.
Water Left Running And Damage Out Of Control
What transformed this already distressing situation into a financial disaster was what happened inside the building. According to Selim’s lawyer, Xavier Bouillot, the squatters allegedly left taps running continuously, day and night. Over time, the property became saturated with water.
When a technician from Veolia was eventually called out, the conditions were reportedly so severe that entry was refused. Floors were flooded and pests had taken hold. It brings to mind that familiar panic of discovering a leak at home, multiplied not over hours, but over years.
Water authorities and consumer organisations regularly warn that undetected leaks can result in enormous bills. In normal circumstances, a homeowner would shut off the supply quickly. In this case, Selim had no access and no way of intervening.
A €100,000 Bill And No Insurance Safety Net
After lengthy legal proceedings, the squatters were finally evicted. What should have been the end of Selim’s ordeal instead marked the beginning of another. Veolia issued a water bill approaching €100,000, addressed to the registered owner of the property.
Insurance companies, including major providers such as Axa Assurance, do not cover damage or utility costs linked to illegal occupation. The result was brutal in its simplicity: Selim was liable for the full amount.
For an 80 year old man, the sum is overwhelming. It represents far more than money. It threatens independence, security and peace of mind. Real estate organisations across Europe have repeatedly highlighted how current frameworks often leave property owners exposed, particularly when they are elderly or vulnerable.
@w9lachaine "Dans mon propre pays, je suis une SDF" 😖 Alfredo, délogeur de squatteurs, cherche la solution pour faire partir cette jeune femme qui occupe depuis 28 ans la maison de son oncle ! 🏡 📺 #SquatsEtConflits ♬ son original – w9officiel
A Warning For Property Owners Everywhere
This case is not just a personal tragedy. It is a cautionary tale. Property ownership comes with responsibilities, but also risks that are not always obvious. Experts consistently advise owners to monitor empty properties closely and to act immediately at the first sign of unauthorised occupation.
Beyond practical advice, Selim’s story raises uncomfortable questions about balance and protection. Safeguarding housing rights is important, but so is ensuring that individuals are not financially destroyed by situations entirely beyond their control.
In the end, Selim’s experience is a reminder that property is never just an investment. It is tied to lives, histories and, sometimes, to vulnerabilities that systems are slow to acknowledge. Vigilance matters, but so does reform.
