DECO urges Portuguese Parliament to balance urban rental law

The consumer protection association DECO has called on the Portuguese Parliament to intervene in a government proposal to amend urban rental regulations. The association argues that the current proposal lacks balance and fails to protect both landlords and tenants simultaneously.

DECO expressed concerns regarding specific measures, such as increasing the limit for advance rent from two to three months and removing the maximum limit for security deposits. The association contends these changes could make renting more expensive and advocates for maintaining current limits.

Additionally, the group addressed the proposal to reduce the grace period for rent arrears from three months to two months before a contract can be terminated. DECO maintains that temporary financial difficulties should not lead to immediate loss of housing, suggesting that tenants should have a real opportunity to regularize debts before contract resolution, particularly in permanent housing agreements.