Catalonia has published a new decree to try to regulate rent prices. Sublets are now subject to the price index set by the region.
Photo: Cyane Morel
Applied since March, the rent control law prevents landlords from increasing prices within the limit of the reference index. Since yesterday and the publication of new decree law, room rentals are also subject to this ceiling. The Catalan government thus wishes to prevent certain owners from circumventing the law and “to obtain abusive profits by dividing the same accommodation into several contracts”. The total paid by the sub-tenants can therefore no longer exceed the reference price, nor be increased with departures and arrivals. The measure applies to contracts signed from April 25, 2024.
But once again, difficult for the tenant to assert their rights. Already because in a majority of cases, sublets are not declared and the contract is therefore non-existent. Then because it can be difficult to know the price paid by each of the residents of the shared accommodation. However, in the event of a conflict or increase, the tenant will now be able to rely on this new legislative text to file an appeal.
Temporary rentals restricted
The Catalan government also wanted to tackle temporary leases, the number of which jumped by 56% in one year. The authorities estimate that in Barcelona, one accommodation in three is rented under this type of contract which does not exceed 11 months and, above all, is not subject to the rent control law. A situation which reduces the rental stock for residents and deprives of legislative protection those who find themselves obliged to go through these contracts, due to lack of choice and availability.
From now on, temporary leases will only be allowed for recreational stays. Rentals for professional, medical or study reasons, even if the stays are also temporary, “respond to a need for housing and will have to apply the housing law”, specifies the text. And in particular by respecting the price index and making owners pay agency fees.
For their part, the owners’ associations denounce “persecution and criminalization“. They fear that this new legislation will scare lessors a little more, who could end up completely withdrawing their properties from the market.
