Representatives of the party at the councils of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza are to present a motion that will include a requirement of at least two years' residency in the Balearics before being able to purchase a home.
Aurora Ribot, who is vice-president of the Council of Mallorca as well as being the Podemos spokesperson, says that there are exorbitant prices for homes because of purchase for non-residential use. Properties are only used for a few weeks a year and otherwise remain empty. Meanwhile, the people of the islands, who are resident, do not have access to decent housing.
Cristina Gómez of Podemos in Menorca points out that there are some 50,000 dwellings in total on the island and that only 30,000 are for residential use in that they are lived in all-year round. Five thousand are empty, while the rest are either second homes or for holiday rent.
The Podemos motion, if it prospers at the individual councils, is directed at the Spanish government and for it to legislate. The party's view is that there is a "structural problem" with housing in the Balearics that is being aggravated year after year. Podemos highlight property speculation and the pressure that tourism exerts over housing. This isn't just because of holiday rentals, as there are also the second homes which are occupied for only a certain period of time each year.
The Balearic government estimate of the number of empty homes on the islands is 71,000. There are also around 9,000 large property owners, classified as ones with ten or more properties. Podemos want this classification to be reduced to five or more properties so that more owners are covered by Balearic housing legislation, which presses large owners to cede empty properties to the government for social renting over a set number of years.
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It's the same, the whole world over. Some people like closed communities where outsiders are not welcome and outsiders' money isn't welcome either. Other people like people from outside to be able to spend their money in our communities. People love to hate second home owners and the public are usually quite happy for people to have a huge 5 bedroom house in the countryside, but not happy that someone has a small 2 bed flat in a city and a 2 bed apartment by the sea. Which is worse? Or are both OK, because people have choice? I'm sure it would be OK if the second home is a small flat in a big city: then people would just call it "commuting" instead of "second homing".
They've already put a stop to *new* tourist rentals by not issuing new licences. I seriously doubt requiring 2 year residency prior to buying will change much. If anything, more likely to *raise* prices. The more practical approach is to facilitate higher wages for those who make the least. But that need careful consideration too. I'm always surprised to pay 80€ per hour for incompetent technical help that barely knows which end of a screwdriver to hold. What? That's "low wage"? I don't make 80€ per hour. I must be amongst the impoverished class.
Zoltan TeglasThe BBC despite its long history of accurate objective output admired and trusted around the world. It’s output over the last couple of years has included articles that how can I say are edited to promote a point. It’s what it tends not to say as much as its presented material that is relevant. Like many outlets it launches options and views as fact on occasion. Look at the Cliff Richard fiasco.
Zoltan TeglasYou just give up, do you? I am Swedish and rented flats from Bostadsförmedlingen 3 times in Stockholm So if you want to believe BBC go ahead, I don't care. The subject in this article was about Mallorca and a possibility you need 2 years of residency which Podemos wants to be able to buy a property, which I totally personally object to.
Ulla JacksonAccording to this BBC article the Swedish government pretty much controls the rents. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-58317555
David HollandThanks.
Ulla JacksonGo for it girl.
Zoltan TeglasForgot to inform you that I have rented flats 3 times I Stockholm, so if I know anything about renting abroad, I certainly know very well how it's done in Stockholm. (Apart from that I have rented flats both in Asia and South America).
Thank you for reply but you gave exactly the wrong answer about Stockholm the GOVERNMENT does not control rents and rentals anywhere in Sweden. In Stockholm you have Bostadsförmedlingen who deals with rentals of allmännyttans housing stock and increases are individually negotiated. Apart from Bostadsförmedlingen there are several private owners who NOT have to give all their rentals to Bostadsförmedlingen. Sometime you should be cautious, Zoltan Teglas, "accusing" someone not knowing much about rentals in other countries.
Marvin Le MartianSpot on. I don't know about Mallorca but in other Spanish cities there are families that own hundreds of properties, many of which are derelict. These families have so much money (and political power) that they have no interest in doing anything with the derelict properties. The council should compulsory purchase them, refurb them and make them available for rent to local people.