A conflict is escalating in the city of Mataró (Barcelona province) between a landlord and a tenant family, which could set a precedent for all of Spain. A Venezuelan family living in a rented apartment faces immediate eviction after the property owner accused one of the tenants of illegal occupancy.
Arquímedes and Ana López, along with their three children, moved to Spain in early 2024. The head of the family had signed the rental agreement back in September 2022, and his wife and children joined him later. All family members are officially registered at the address, the children attend a local school, and the rent of one thousand euros per month is paid without delay.
Despite this, the apartment owner decided to initiate an eviction process, claiming that Ana López had allegedly occupied the property without his consent. He took the matter to criminal court, accusing the woman of unlawful occupation of the property. The Mataró judge ordered the temporary eviction of the family, raising concerns among human rights organizations and tenant unions.
The family maintains that they have never violated the terms of the contract and have not received any official notice to leave the apartment. According to them, the landlord had previously asked them verbally to move out, but after they refused and reminded him of the valid contract, he did not raise the issue again. Nevertheless, he continued to collect the rent personally each month.
In response to the court’s decision, Ana López sought assistance from a court-appointed lawyer, who has filed an appeal. A decision on the matter is expected in the coming days. The local tenants’ union has expressed its support for the family, stating that cases like this undermine tenants’ rights and could increase social tensions amid Spain’s ongoing housing crisis.
According to union representatives, if a property owner has grounds to terminate a lease, they should apply to a civil court and prove the necessity of vacating the property, rather than resorting to criminal charges. In this case, they say, the rental contract was not taken into account during the proceedings, raising questions about the objectivity of the court’s decision.
Court documents indicate that the owner made repeated attempts to have the family evicted, although the tenants deny this. The court order states that the apartment must be vacated immediately with police assistance. Additionally, a separate hearing on administrative charges against Ana López is scheduled for March next year.
The situation in Mataró has become a topic of discussion among housing law experts and social organizations. They worry that decisions like this could set a dangerous precedent and increase pressure on tenants, particularly among migrants and socially vulnerable groups.
As Spain’s rental market remains strained and disputes between landlords and tenants increase, this case highlights the need for clear regulation and protection of both parties’ rights. Developments are expected soon, including possible intervention by public organizations to prevent the family’s eviction.
