Maricarmen Abascal returns to Madrid home after eviction sparks housing debate

housing crisis eviction rent control Spanish government Urbagestión

The eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her Madrid home, where she had resided since 1956, has ignited a major political and social debate in Spain regarding the housing crisis. The case, which involved a long-standing 'renta antigua' (old rent) contract, became a catalyst for the Spanish government to introduce new housing legislation.

In response to the public outcry and protests in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, the government approved measures via Royal Decree-Law 26/2026. These measures include a prohibition on evictions until 2030, limits on rent increases, and restrictions on speculative purchases by investment funds. The government has framed the situation as a consequence of 'machista and retrograde' legislation from the dictatorship era and modern market speculation.

Following judicial proceedings and significant social mobilization, an agreement was reached between Abascal's legal representatives and the property fund Urbagestión, mediated by the Madrid Municipal Housing and Land Company (EMVS). Under the new terms, Abascal will return to her apartment under a social rental contract for eight years. The monthly rent will be approximately 500 euros, which is roughly 30% of her pension. Urbagestión noted that the arrangement is 'uneconomic' for them, as the mortgage and maintenance costs exceed the net rental income.

Entities

Empresa Municipal de Vivienda y Suelo · Empresa Municipal de la Vivienda y Suelo · Government of Spain · Madrid · Maricarmen Abascal · Pedro Sánchez · Puerta del Sol · Sindicato de Inquilinas de Madrid · Urbagestión · Urbagestión Desarrollo e Inversiones S. L.

Claims

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

[● 2 SOURCES] Maricarmen Abascal accepted a proposal to return to her apartment under a new lease agreement. defatoonline.com.br · laverdad.com.mx
[● 2 SOURCES] The government defined Maricarmen Abascal as a victim of 'machista and retrograde legislation from a dictatorship' and 'voracious speculation'. labandera.es · www.abc.es
[● 3 SOURCES] Maricarmen Abascal had resided in her apartment in Madrid since 1956. labandera.es · obarbanza.gal · laverdad.com.mx
[○ 1 SOURCE] The government published Royal Decree-Law 26/2026 in the Official State Gazette (BOE) to address housing and eviction issues. labandera.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] Maricarmen's lawyer, Beatriz Duro, stated that the elderly woman should never have been forced to leave her home. defatoonline.com.br
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Spanish government approved measures including a prohibition on evictions until 2030 and limits on rent increases. www.abc.es
[○ 1 SOURCE] The property fund Urbagestión stated that the mortgage payment for the apartment exceeds twice the amount of the new rent they will receive. okdiario.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The new rental agreement stipulates that Maricarmen will pay 30% of her pension, approximately 500 euros per month, for the next eight years. defatoonline.com.br · laverdad.com.mx