On Thursday, spokesperson Francisco Ducrós drew attention to rent cap figures itemised by the Spanish housing ministry and observed that people are paying over 1,000 euros more than these limits.
A study by PSOE highlights the kinds of rent being asked for. In Pere Garau, the party has found examples of apartments at 1,500 euros a month. The housing ministry suggests the price should be 575 euros.
In Plaça de Toros, there are rents of 1,750 euros, when the ministry indicates that it should be 928. In Foners-Joan Alcover, the price is 2,000 euros, 1,041 euros above what the ministry indicates.
"It is unviable to live in the city," said Ducrós, who accused the Partido Popular and Vox of "inaction".
"On average, a home costs 1,775 euros a month, an annual cost for the tenant of 21,300 euros, 98 per cent of the average salary." If a cap were applied, the cost would be 826 euros, 30 per cent of the average salary. "Right now, people are paying 950 euros more a month on rent. It is unsustainable."
Under the national housing law, Palma is categorised as a 'stressed' city. The law allows rent caps to be applied in such a circumstance, but this is discretionary, and the Balearic Government has said that it will not implement caps.
5 comments
To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in
It's certainly difficult for those seeking cheap rents. But then, the same is true in London. Or Hamburg. Or Munich. Or Los Angeles. Or Hong Kong. Or Dubai. Or Sydney. And especially Zurich. And yet, lots of people live there. And in Palma too. Hmm ...
Change the okupado law first, that would help.
Price controls don’t work. We have many examples through history how it makes the problem worse. Argentina is a good example of how it is just the opposite. They have recently LIFTED rent caps in Buenos Aires and apartments for rent supply surged. Apartment costs have actually come down. I would explore lifting regulations, and enforce laws for owners to remove tenants who aren’t paying their rent. More will be willing to rent their property rather than keeping it vacant.
Remove the protection of the ocupas (skatters) and look at the markek being flooded by rentals and the prices get down. Owners rather have their property vaccant than risk haveling people in destroying everything and not paying. Thanks the psoe for that.
The PSOE did nothing when they were in power. They are just as bad as the PP