Catalonia has passed a law that changes the rules of the rental market: now not only long-term, but also seasonal contracts and the rental of individual rooms fall under strict price growth restrictions. The autonomous parliament backed an initiative aimed at protecting tenants and stabilizing housing costs amid rising demand. The only exception is short-term tourist contracts, which remain outside the scope of the new restrictions.
The document, approved by a majority vote, stipulates that any rental agreements signed not for vacation or tourism—but, for example, for work, study, or medical treatment—are now regulated under the same principles as standard long-term contracts. This means property owners can no longer raise rents arbitrarily, and conditions for renewals and deposits will align with the Urban Leases Law (Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos, LAU).
Changes for tenants
Under the new rules, tenants renting rooms or seasonal housing in high-demand areas will receive additional protections. Now, the total rental payments for all rooms in an apartment cannot exceed the cost of renting the entire property. This measure targets the practice of splitting apartments into separate rooms with inflated prices.
Authorities emphasize that these measures are necessary to prevent speculation and protect citizens who are forced to rent housing for a limited period due to professional or personal reasons. At the same time, tourist and vacation contracts remain outside the scope of the law, allowing property owners to continue renting to holidaymakers under the same conditions as before.
Law details
The bill underwent several rounds of discussion and was revised to incorporate proposals from various political parties. In particular, concerns regarding the constitutionality of certain provisions were addressed, as well as issues related to the automatic extension of social housing status in high-demand areas.
The document also introduces changes in urban planning and housing management. Municipalities with high housing demand are now required to ensure that the primary use of new developments remains residential, rather than commercial or tourist. For seasonal rentals, a special plan is now required, justifying the public interest and appropriateness of the proposed accommodation.
Oversight and supervision
A key part of the reform is the creation of a registry of major property owners, which will be overseen by the Agència de l’Habitatge de Catalunya. Additionally, a special commission will be established to monitor compliance with rental agreements, and inspectors will be granted the status of public officials with expanded authority.
The law also stipulates that deposits held at the Institut Català del Sòl will be used to finance the construction of new social housing. The administration’s rights for preferential purchase and acquisition of real estate in the event of a sale are also expanded.
Market impact
Experts note that the new restrictions could reshape the rental market in Catalonia. Property owners leasing homes short-term now have to consider not only demand but also strict price controls. This may reduce the attractiveness of investing in room and seasonal apartment rentals, but at the same time, it could make housing more accessible for local residents and incoming professionals.
At the same time, questions remain about how the new rules will affect the tourism sector, which still operates under special conditions. Some analysts believe that some owners may try to reclassify their properties as tourist accommodations to avoid restrictions; however, this would require meeting additional requirements.
In case you didn’t know, the Catalonia Housing Agency (Agència de l’Habitatge de Catalunya) is the key organization responsible for implementing housing policy in the region. The agency not only oversees the rental market but also develops affordable housing programs, supports vulnerable social groups, and implements innovative solutions in urban planning. In recent years, the agency has actively introduced digital services for tenants and property owners, as well as participated in drafting new legislative initiatives aimed at stabilizing the real estate market.
