In my opinion, the Spanish Government’s socialist housing policies have contributed to worsening the very crisis they were intended to resolve.
The rental market depends, to a large extent, on private landlords and investors who make their properties available for long-term rental. When they believe they cannot earn a reasonable return, adjust rents fairly or recover possession of their property if their circumstances change, they become less willing to invest.
During the past eight years working in the property sector, I have seen more and more landlords choose to sell when the opportunity arises. At the same time, prospective investors assess the risks and, in many cases, decide against entering the long-term rental market. Others prefer holiday rentals, further reducing the supply of homes available to residents.
For many landlords, a rental property represents a lifetime of savings or a supplement to their pension. They need to know that, if they face financial difficulties, they will be able to regain possession of the property or sell it to release the value of their investment.
Tenants deserve protection, but landlords also need fair treatment and legal certainty. I believe the solution lies in balancing both needs and creating conditions that encourage more homes to be offered for long-term rental. Without that balance, the housing crisis could continue and worsen.