Maricarmen faces a fourth scheduled eviction attempt in Madrid, but an anonymous writer has offered to pay most of her rent. The 87-year-old Retiro resident has lived in the apartment for 71 years and says she does not want to leave. The offer puts the building's owner, Urbagestión Desarrollo e Inversión S. L., under pressure ahead of Wednesday morning's planned eviction.
Maricarmen would continue paying the 500 euros she pays each month, while the writer would cover the 2,150-euro difference between that sum and the 2,650 euros demanded by the property owner. The Sindicato de Inquilinas de Madrid says the writer has offered to pay the difference for the rest of Maricarmen's life. Reports say the dispute intensified after the building was sold in 2018, when the new owner sought a sharp rent increase.
The decision now rests with real estate fund Urbagestión. The tenant union says the company had already refused to reach an agreement with Maricarmen and is urging it to respond to the new offer. El País reported that she has lived in her Retiro home for 71 years.
The eviction is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, 23 September, at Maricarmen's home on Calle Alcalde Sainz de Baranda. The union says the legal process allows no further appeal. If it goes ahead, the eviction would be final.
Supporters gathered outside the property on Tuesday evening under the slogan "Maricarmen se queda". The Sindicato de Inquilinas organised a cultural event before starting an overnight camp outside the building. Chants included "Fuera fondos buitre de nuestros barrios" and "El ático de Ayuso para Maricarmen". Spain’s Ministry of Housing publicly called on Madrid’s city and regional authorities to intervene, saying Urbagestión had rejected options proposed by the authorities. Reports also noted that public administrations had not offered Maricarmen a confirmed alternative home.
The mobilisation drew figures from politics and the arts, including communicator Inés Hernand and Ana Belén, a singer and actress. Ana Belén said accompanying Maricarmen was the least anyone could do and questioned why more people were not there.
Maricarmen spoke to the crowd herself. She said the attempt to remove her was driven by money and stressed that she had spent 71 years in the home. She also has a recognised disability of 50 percent.
After thanking the tenant union for its support, Maricarmen urged people facing housing problems to organise rather than remain isolated.
The case turns on a financial proposal: Maricarmen would pay 500 euros, and the anonymous writer would provide 2,150 euros to meet the owner's 2,650-euro demand.
The offer remains a proposal. Until Urbagestión accepts it, the eviction is still scheduled, and the overnight mobilisation is the tenants' immediate defence. An EFE report carried by Infobae said the writer's offer could remain in force for the rest of Maricarmen's life.
Political pressure has spread beyond the immediate dispute. Sumar has called for Maricarmen to receive access to affordable housing in the public housing system. The case has become part of a wider debate over protections for elderly tenants and the shortage of public housing alternatives.
