If you have the finances, Take them to court and sue them for "Daños y Perjuicios". This is the problem. Dominicans commit these crimes simply because they know the typical option is to settle or sell. And Usually people sell.

Guess what? I am in a very similar predicament and I have adopted the American mentality.

"I will sue based on Principle" So that you learn to respect the property of others. And when I am done, I will construct a billboard on the main road on my property and advertise to all that pass, that they are LADRONAZOS!

It seems that lawyers in D.R. just can't be trusted. I have a horrible situation with property that I own and was renting out. The tenants were stealing electricity without my knowledge. As a result of the shoddy wiring the place caught fire. They had the nerve to sue ME for the fire. I believe they did it in an attempt to cover their asses because they were stealing the electric service.

I contacted my mom's cousin who's a lawyer down there. He's been handling that for me. But frankly, he's calling every month or so asking for money for this piece of paper or that legal process or another.

I don't know much about D.R.'s housing laws, but I can sense when I'm being milked. And it's a family member on top of it. Yesterday I told him that he shouldn't do a thing with the case until I can go down there and see for myself.

He doesn't realize I'm talking to other lawyers to take the case, but it seems lawyers are sheisters no matter what country you live in.

Shakespeare was right!

Be very very very careful. Trust no lawyer in DR, and If I were you, I would insure to have a contract stipulating fees, and that payment will be made upon Judges Final Decision. Yes, I had the same problem with my lawyers. Until a family member got involved. Get receipts for everything i.e. every judicial process subpoena, judicial notices etc. that is processed on your case. Request a copy of your case (expediente) It is your right.

Just forget the official way, you will never get them out !

cut off their gas, electricity and water.
If they reconnect, cut it off again !

How long would a legal eviction process take, anyway?

I mean, how long would it take to get them out of there legally? I don't want to deal with tenants again in D.R. Right now, I just need two things...to get those people out of the house and to get that land sold.

Here in NYC, it is nearly impossible to evict someone. And if they have children, you would have to wait for a blizzard in hell.

Anybody who will give you an exact timetable is lying to you.
If you hire a lawyer, he will take a lot of money,promise you everything and keep nothing.
Find somebody here who makes their live miserable until they leave.
D O N O T H I R E A L A W Y E R ! ! !

If you own the Place, sell the windows, the bath and the doors and let somebody pick them up !

As bad as it sounds, I have to agree with all this comments. It's easier to make their lifes miserable than depend on the "legal" system of the DR. Most dominicans would evict someone by paying a police or military official to go there and throw them out of the property by force.

This is the fastest, easiest and less costly way to get this done. Right or wrong emotionally, morally!

So essentially I'm screwed? What if I just sell the damn property with them in it?

Oh wait a minute, DaniDR...you just gave me a solution! Although there's still that matter of them suing me for the electrical wiring that THEY did, which was not only dangerous, but illegal since they were stealing electricity, and was never approved by me or the person who oversees the property for me in D.R.