At the same time as the number of empty homes has risen significantly, the total number of dwellings has lagged well behind. The INE's census points to an eleven per cent increase in the total housing stock over the same ten-year period.
In all, according to the INE, there are now 652,123 dwellings in the Balearics. Meanwhile, the population has risen by just over 100,000 to 1,218,441 since 2013 and by 200,000 since 2003.
The Balearics are experiencing a situation whereby there are more people than ever, while the number of new homes is not keeping pace with population growth and there is an unprecedented level of empty properties. House prices just keep rising, and so the latest political intervention - one by the new Balearic government - is to be an emergency housing decree. Among other things, this will give tax incentives to owners who rent properties out.
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Ulla JacksonNot after the recent elections.
Peter PerfectIt's taxed in France, but in Spain there is no legal enforcement of anything. If they announce the tax, nobody will bother. It they sue theoowners, they will smile. Nothing the "authorities" are able to do.
My experience with legal security in Spain is abyssmal. There is no protection against rental-nomads, or even tenants who turn ocupas at some point. I shall never let again in Spain, rather sell. The risk is too high, too costly, and no betterment is in sight. Last objects I bought were in France, where there is law and order. I'd rather leave a flat empty in Spain than let it at that level of uncertainty. The law and airbnb kill the rental market. It wiill not recover unless there is legal certainty installed.
Peter PerfectI guess you read the new article that the law is all in favour of renters and can take up to 7 years for the owners to get it back, as rental contract just get renewed by stealth. Yo obviously have no idea what you are talking about. Pure jelousy from you.
There would be plenty of owners willing to let out their property if they would receive adequate protection by the government from tenants that ruin the property and don't pay rent or utilities. Right now the situation is diabolical and I know many people that are desperate trying to get their properties back. The legal system is extremely skewed towards the tenant, and unless you ever had to evict anyone the likes of Peter perfect don't know what they are talking about
Peter PerfectWhere do you draw the line for "empty properties"? Never lived in, lived in part of the year? When and where will the Mallorcan government get their bum in gear and build social housing?
Turn that bloody eyesore the Endesa building into social housing.
Any empty properties need to be taxed out of existence.