Madrid housing crisis: 87-year-old evicted after 70 years in home

housing crisis eviction rent control Madrid Urbagestión

The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home of 70 years has become a symbol of Spain's housing crisis. On September 23, 2026, a judicial commission executed the eviction after the Supreme Court ruled that her historic rent-controlled contract was extinguished because she did not meet the 65% disability threshold required for a legal exception. The property owner, investment firm Urbagestión, had sought to increase her rent from approximately 500 euros to 2,650 euros.

Efforts to prevent the eviction failed, including a last-minute proposal from an anonymous writer to cover the 2,150 euro monthly rent difference for the rest of the woman's life. The eviction was carried out with a significant police presence, and Maricarmen was transported to a hospital via stretcher. The event sparked protests from housing rights groups and activists, who criticized both regional and national governments for failing to protect vulnerable citizens from real estate speculation.

This case highlights broader economic trends in Spain. The Bank of Spain has warned of a growing housing deficit that could reach one million units by 2028. Additionally, rising rental costs are forcing many to share housing; for example, in Cantabria, renting a single-bedroom apartment costs nearly double the price of renting a single room.

Entities

Banc Sabadell · Bank of Spain · Cerberus · Isabel Díaz Ayuso · Isabel Rodríguez · L'Hospitalet de Llobregat · Leire Iglesias · Madrid · Maricarmen · Maricarmen Abascal · Ministry of Housing · Olga Matute

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Madrid regional government defends a liberal approach to life rather than directing or tutoring the market.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Intervening in the rental market will not solve housing issues and causes landlords to fear renting out properties.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The President mistakenly referred to 'public money' before quickly correcting herself to say 'my personal money' during a press appearance.
[● 3 SOURCES] Activists threw papers and foul-smelling substances at the entourage of the Madrid President during a visit to The District real estate fair.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Tenants' Union opposes a business model that prioritizes exchange value over the social use of housing.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The United Nations has determined that the eviction is illegal. efeminista.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Housing attempted to buy the property and negotiate a fair rent to prevent the eviction. www.eldiariodemadrid.es
[● 4 SOURCES] Hundreds of protesters gathered in Madrid's Retiro district to oppose the eviction. efeminista.com · www.eldigitaldealbacete.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Spanish government appealed to the United Nations to halt the eviction. www.eldiariodemadrid.es
[● 4 SOURCES] The property owner rejected a proposal from an anonymous donor to cover the tenant's rent. cronicadecantabria.com · www.xataka.com · spanjevandaag.com · noticiasparamunicipios.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Minister called for parliamentary support for a housing decree that remains blocked in the Chamber. www.lavanguardia.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The property owner refused to suspend the eviction for humanitarian reasons or grant a grace period for the tenant to move out. cronicadecantabria.com · spanjevandaag.com