1 day ago
Spain housing pact follows eviction protest and return offer
Spain’s government wants to change housing rules because many people are struggling with high rents and evictions.
The ruling Socialists and Sumar agreed on a package of proposed measures.
Reports say the plans could extend rental contracts until 2028 and stop some evictions until 2030.
The government still needs support from other political parties.
Junts agrees that large investment funds should not evict people, but it wants small landlords to receive different treatment.
Protests began after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was taken from her home on a stretcher.
Her lawyer says the company that owns the apartment offered to let her return.
She would reportedly pay about €500 a month for eight years.
Spain’s ruling Socialists and junior partner Sumar agreed measures to address soaring rents and the housing crisis.
The proposals include extending leases until 2028 and banning evictions until 2030, although reports describe the measures differently.
The minority government must win support in a fragmented parliament, while Junts says it remains opposed to some provisions protecting small landlords.
Hundreds of protesters remained camped in Madrid after 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal was removed from her home on a stretcher.
Abascal’s lawyer said UrbaGestion offered a possible return home for payments of about €500 monthly, or 30% of her pension, for eight years.
- Who
- Spain’s coalition government, the Socialists and Sumar, Junts, protesters, Maricarmen Abascal, and UrbaGestion.
- What
- The government agreed proposed housing measures while Abascal received a preliminary offer to return to her apartment.
- Where
- Madrid, Spain, including Abascal’s apartment and a central Madrid square where protesters camped.
- When
- The agreement and offer were reported on Tuesday, September 29; Abascal was removed from her home the previous Wednesday.
- Why
- The measures seek to address soaring rents, speculative housing purchases, and evictions amid Spain’s housing crisis.
Broader tenant protections
Differentiated landlord protections
Eviction restrictions
Broader tenant protections
The government, protesters, and housing advocates support stronger restrictions on evictions and measures aimed at protecting vulnerable tenants.
Differentiated landlord protections
Junts says evictions involving large funds should be stopped but argues that small landlords should not be treated in the same way.
Definition of vulture funds
Broader tenant protections
The government wants to broaden the definition to include any fund or company buying housing for speculation, potentially including UrbaGestion.
Differentiated landlord protections
Junts warns that broad definitions could unfairly include people who invested their savings in a property.
Abascal’s return
Broader tenant protections
Her lawyer welcomed the offer but said Abascal should never have been forced to leave and criticized the company and authorities for their earlier responses.
Differentiated landlord protections
UrbaGestion’s preliminary proposal could allow Abascal to return if she accepts the payment terms.
Key facts
- Government partners
- The ruling Socialists reached an agreement with junior coalition partner Sumar.
- Reported lease measure
- One report said rental contracts would be rolled over until 2028.
- Reported eviction measure
- The government said proposals included banning evictions until 2030.
- Parliamentary challenge
- The minority government needs support from other parties; one report said it has 30 days after publication to reach a congressional consensus.
- Junts position
- Junts supports stopping evictions by large funds but opposes treating small landlords the same way.
- Abascal’s proposed payment
- About €500 per month, equal to 30% of her pension, for eight years.
- Protest demands
- Demonstrators called for rent freezes and automatic lease renewals without abusive rent increases.
Quotes
Miriam Nogueras
Junts parliamentary spokesperson
“We all agreed that evictions – where the property is owned by a fund, a vulture fund, run by someone managing millions of euros – obviously need to be stopped.”
theprint.in
theprint.in
“It is time to intervene in the speculative housing market and start striking a balance between ordinary citizens and vulture funds.”
theprint.in
Sources
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