Tens of thousands protest in Spain after tenant measures rejected

The first decree would give tenants whose existing rental contracts expire before the end of 2028 an extraordinary two-year extension. It would also extend protections against eviction until 2030 and introduce rules for seasonal and room rentals. The second decree proposes automatic renewal of rental contracts, though its conditions have not been detailed in the reported agreement. [1]

The announcement came amid protests over the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, 87, from her Madrid home. Her lawyer said a deal reached on Monday with the company that owns the property would allow her to return, but she had not yet signed it. Health Minister Mónica García said the housing measures would bring relief to more than five million people. [2]

Míriam Nogueras, a spokeswoman for the Catalan independence party Junts, objected to treating small property owners like large investment funds. EL PAÍS reported that the automatic-renewal decree appeared to have weaker parliamentary support than the first package. [1] [2]

Update

Spain’s Congress voted 178 to 172 against the first housing decree and 184 to 166 against the second on 2 October. Both needed parliamentary approval to remain in place. [3]

The first decree covered a suspension of evictions involving vulnerable tenants until 2030, two-year extensions for leases due to expire before 2028, higher taxes on tourist flats and restrictions on residential purchases by what the government calls “vulture funds”. The second included automatic renewal of rental contracts. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urged MPs to back the measures, but Together for Catalonia’s Miriam Nogueras argued that they had been hastily drawn up and could have the opposite effect. [3]

The government put forward the decrees amid protests following the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, 87, from her Madrid flat after a sharp rent increase. The company that owns the flat has since negotiated her return at a low rent, while protests have continued.