Extension of Restrictions: Homeowners Express Concern
Uncertainty persists in Spain over whether the ban on evicting tenants in vulnerable situations will be extended. The Spanish landlords’ association Asval believes that the government is likely to keep the current measure in place beyond 2025. This initiative, introduced back in 2020, has been restricting evictions of families unable to pay rent for objective reasons for five years now.
Market Outlook: Risks for Owners and Tenants
According to Asval representatives, most large and small property owners in Spain are concerned about the lack of guarantees and legal protection. Key worries include being unable to reclaim a property in cases of non-payment or if it is occupied illegally. As the government continues to extend the moratorium, many owners see little incentive to put new homes on the rental market. This could lead to a decrease in supply and higher rental prices.
Legal Impact: Who Does the Moratorium Protect?
The eviction ban applies to families who have no alternative housing and are officially recognized as vulnerable. This measure covers tenants with leases under the 1994 law, as well as those living without formal authorization, if they are victims of domestic violence, people with disabilities, or families with children. Importantly, the rule only affects properties owned by large landlords—those with more than ten apartments.
Compensation and procedure: how the mechanism works
Owners whose apartments remain occupied after the lease expires can claim compensation if government authorities have failed to provide tenants with alternative accommodation. There is a special procedure for this: the tenant submits an application to extend their stay, and then the court requests vulnerability status confirmation from social services. If new housing cannot be found within three months, the owner is entitled to compensation for losses. The deadline to apply for compensation is set for the end of January 2026.
Market impact: prospects and expectations
Experts note that the extension of restrictions could last another year unless the authorities propose alternative solutions for vulnerable groups. This raises concerns among investors and property owners, who fear a further decline in the attractiveness of the rental market. At the same time, social organizations insist on the need to protect the most vulnerable segments of the population, making it harder to find a compromise between the interests of tenants and landlords.
