In the heart of Madrid’s Lavapiés district, a conflict has erupted between the residents of an apartment building and its new owner — the investment fund Elix Rental Housing. Nearly two years ago, the company purchased the building at 7 Tribulete Street (Tribulete, 7), where 54 people were living at the time. Immediately after the deal, tenants were informed that their leases would not be renewed. Most moved out, but eight families decided to stay and fight for their rights.
Since then, life in the building has become a challenge. According to the residents, the company began carrying out noisy renovation work that went on day and night. Walls and pipes in common areas have been damaged, the roof now leaks, and the entrance is regularly flooded. The tenants believe all of this was done with one goal — to force them to leave as quickly as possible.
Eventually, the residents ran out of patience. They joined forces and, with the support of the tenants’ union, filed a class-action lawsuit. Now, for the first time in Madrid, a case of so-called ‘mobbing’ — systematic psychological and domestic pressure on tenants — has made it to court against a major investment fund.
Court Proceedings
The trial is set to begin in February. Several executives from Elix Rental Housing, including one of the company’s founders, the architect, and the head of construction, will be in the dock. They will have to answer questions about the methods used to clear the building of its tenants.
The tenants’ union lawyer notes that this is the first time a company of this kind has been held accountable for exerting pressure on tenants. If found guilty, Elix Rental Housing could face not only a hefty fine, but also criminal liability, up to the dissolution of the legal entity.
Residents claim that the company tried to negotiate with each of them individually to divide and weaken their resistance. However, the remaining eight families decided to stick together and not give in. They continue to pay rent and are waiting for the court’s decision.
Changes in the neighborhood
The story of the building on Tribulete is just one part of the sweeping changes taking place in Lavapiés. Over the past few years, several buildings in the area have been bought by large investment funds, after which residents were gradually evicted and the apartments converted into tourist rentals. According to local associations, the neighborhood has lost about 10,000 permanent residents in five years.
Rental prices in Madrid have risen by 60% over the past decade, while wages have grown by only 3%. This forces many people to leave their familiar neighborhoods. According to activists, Lavapiés loses at least five residents each day because they can no longer afford to pay for housing.
Residents of the building on Tribulete believe that their case could set a precedent for the entire city. They hope the court will put an end to pressure on tenants and force large investment funds to comply with the law.
Psychological pressure
According to one resident, Elix Rental Housing tried to negotiate only with individuals separately, in an attempt to break their collective resistance. Residents complain not only about material damage but also about ongoing stress caused by uncertainty and the threat of eviction.
The tenants’ union notes that such tactics are common among major investors. Renovations, noise, and deteriorating living conditions are all used to push tenants to leave before their lease is up. In the case of the building on Tribulete, lawyers believe there is sufficient evidence of pressure for the court to launch an investigation.
If the court finds the company at fault, it could send an important message to other property owners: using pressure tactics and renovations to force tenants out will no longer go unpunished.
Response and expectations
Residents hope their fight will help change the situation not just in their building, but across the neighborhood. They continue to pay rent and do not plan to leave their apartments until the court reaches a decision. The tenants’ union representatives emphasize that their goal is to achieve justice and defend the rights of all tenants facing similar situations.
Madrid is facing an increasingly tense housing situation. Rising prices, fewer available apartments, and pressure from major investors are forcing many people to leave their homes. The court case over the building on Tribulete Street could become a turning point in the fight for tenants’ rights.
In case you didn’t know, Elix Rental Housing is part of the large investment group AltamarCAM Partners, headed by Claudio Aguirre, a relative of former Madrid regional president Esperanza Aguirre. The company specializes in buying residential buildings, renovating them, and renting them out—often drawing criticism for its approach to tenants. In recent years, Elix Rental Housing has been expanding its presence in Madrid’s real estate market, acquiring entire buildings in the city’s central neighborhoods.
