Spain approves housing decrees to curb evictions and regulate rentals

housing crisis eviction protection rental contract renewal Spanish politics vulture funds

The Spanish government has approved two emergency housing decrees aimed at addressing the nation's housing crisis and rising rental costs. These measures follow widespread public protests sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her long-term residence in Madrid.

The first decree focuses on social protections, including the suspension of evictions for vulnerable individuals until 2030 and new regulations for seasonal and room-based rentals. The second decree introduces measures to stabilize the rental market by mandating automatic contract renewals for five or seven years, depending on whether the landlord is an individual or a legal entity. It also includes a provision requiring landlords to indemnify tenants with up to twelve months of rent if they refuse to extend a contract without valid justification.

The decrees face a challenging path in the Spanish Congress, where a vote for validation is scheduled for Friday. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed optimism regarding the vote but faces significant political hurdles. The opposition, led by the PP and Vox, has announced its intention to vote against the measures, arguing they are contradictory or fail to address the root causes of the crisis. Additionally, the government must secure support from parliamentary partners such as Junts and Podemos, whose positions remain uncertain.

Entities

Alberto Núñez Feijóo · Alicia del Río · Congress of Deputies · Ernest Urtasun · Government of Spain · Junts · Madrid · Maricarmen Abascal · María del Carmen Abascal · Partido Popular · Pedro Sánchez · Plataforma por el Derecho a la Vivienda de Castilla-La Mancha

Claims

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

[○ 1 SOURCE] Ernest Urtasun encouraged social mobilizations, such as the Puerta del Sol encampment, to continue. cronicadecantabria.com
[● 6 SOURCES] One of the housing decrees proposes extending rental protections until 2028 and shielding evictions until 2030. elpais.com · trinidadtribune.com · www.srpskadijaspora.info · www.lanocion.es
[● 5 SOURCES] The housing measures include a prohibition on vulture funds purchasing property for less than 70% of its market value. elpais.com · trinidadtribune.com · www.lanocion.es
[● 8 SOURCES] The Spanish government approved two royal decrees regarding housing on Tuesday. cronicadecantabria.com · elpais.com · trinidadtribune.com · www.srpskadijaspora.info · www.pcte.es · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Confederation of Tenants' Unions called for protests in front of Spanish town halls to demand the validation of the housing decrees. elpais.com
[● 7 SOURCES] María del Carmen Abascal was evicted from her home of seven decades in Madrid on September 23. krmg.com · www.europesays.com · trinidadtribune.com · www.telesurtv.net · www.srpskadijaspora.info
[● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 26% of Spanish renters spend an average of 40% of their income on rent and utilities. krmg.com · www.europesays.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The Spanish government has announced measures to ban evictions until 2030. trinidadtribune.com · www.srpskadijaspora.info · www.lanocion.es · elpais.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The average price per square meter in Spain rose from 8.20 euros in 2016 to 15.1 euros this year. krmg.com · www.europesays.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Health Minister Monica Garcia stated that right-wing parties must choose between citizens and foreign vulture funds. trinidadtribune.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Maricarmen Abascal reached an agreement with Urbagestion to return to her home following her eviction. www.telesurtv.net · www.srpskadijaspora.info
[● 5 SOURCES] Feijóo accused the government of passing contradictory and incompatible decrees. www.diariodecadiz.es · www.noticiasdenavarra.com · www.diariodesevilla.es · www.europasur.es