In my view, the Spanish government’s socialist housing policies have contributed to the very crisis they were intended to resolve.
Working in property, I have personally witnessed a worrying change over the past eight years. Existing landlords increasingly choose to sell at the first opportunity, while potential new landlords look at the risks and decide against entering the long-term rental market. Others turn to holiday rentals, reducing the homes available to residents.
These are my observations from working with owners and tenants. They do not establish that government policy is the sole cause of Spain’s housing problems. But they highlight something policymakers cannot afford to overlook: the confidence of the people providing rental homes.
Why landlord confidence matters
The private rental sector depends on people being willing to invest in homes and rent them out for the long term.
When owners feel they cannot earn a reasonable return, adjust rents fairly within clear rules or recover possession through a reliable legal process when legally entitled to do so, they become less willing to invest.
For many landlords, a property represents years of savings or retirement provision. They need confidence that, if their circumstances change, they can access the value of that investment. Selling a tenanted property and recovering vacant possession are different matters, but both affect how owners assess risk.
My concern is that measures intended to protect tenants can discourage the supply of homes if they leave owners feeling that the risks are too high. A tenant looking for a home gains little from stronger protections if there are fewer properties available to rent.
What the PP proposes
The Partido Popular’s stated approach puts increasing housing supply and restoring legal certainty at the centre of its response.
In its published housing position of 6 October 2026, the PP advocates making more land available, accelerating licences, reducing taxes, attracting investment and encouraging modern construction methods. It also supports tax incentives to help young people access their first home. [1]
The party has called for changes to the housing and rental framework, arguing that rent controls, mandatory extensions and obstacles to recovering possession discourage owners from offering homes. These are the PP’s arguments and proposed direction, rather than proof that every restriction has the same effect in every market. [2]
From my perspective, the most relevant point is the emphasis on confidence. Owners need predictable rules, tenants need stable homes, and builders need a practical route to delivering more housing.
If reforms persuade owners to return properties to long-term rental, that could improve choice for tenants. Whether they do so would depend on the details and implementation.
What Vox proposes
Vox also advocates increasing supply and reducing the costs and barriers associated with housing.
In September 2026, its parliamentary spokesperson in Valencia reiterated proposals to remove taxes on first-home purchases, liberalise land for private and public housing, and reduce administrative obstacles, with an emphasis on young people and large families. [3]
Vox has also previously proposed repealing the Housing Law, removing VAT on first-home purchases, restoring an income-tax deduction for investment in a main home and strengthening legal security for owners offering rental properties. These are published proposals, not a statement that those changes are already in force. [4]
My focus here is on the practical measures affecting long-term rental supply: clear rules, workable legal remedies, more homes and incentives to make those homes available.
Would these policies solve the problem?
Neither party’s proposals should be treated as a guaranteed solution.
Reducing bureaucracy may help construction, but homes still require infrastructure, finance, workers and time. Lower purchase taxes may help buyers, but without additional supply they could also increase competition for existing properties.
Equally, strengthening owners’ rights needs to sit alongside fair procedures and meaningful support for vulnerable tenants. Unlawful occupation, unpaid rent and a household genuinely unable to pay are different situations and should not be casually grouped together.
The test for any reform should be whether it produces more homes that people can afford, while giving both tenants and landlords confidence in the system.
A fairer balance for long-term rentals
In my view, a workable approach should combine:
- Clear and predictable rental rules for owners and tenants.
- Effective legal procedures when agreements are breached.
- Incentives that encourage genuinely long-term, affordable rentals.
- Faster planning and licensing where suitable housing can be built.
- Public housing and support for households unable to meet market rents.
Tenants deserve protection. Landlords also deserve fair treatment and legal certainty. Public authorities should help families in difficulty without expecting individual owners to carry the entire cost of that support.
For areas such as La Duquesa, Manilva, Casares and Estepona, the goal should be a rental market that works for residents, workers, families and responsible owners alike.
The emphasis PP and Vox place on supply, lower barriers and owner confidence addresses concerns I hear in my work. But the detail matters more than the political label.
Unless Spain creates a balance that encourages people to provide long-term rental homes, I believe the housing crisis will continue—and could become worse.
This article expresses my personal views and professional observations. Policy summaries draw on the parties’ own publications; proposals are distinguished from laws currently in force. Referencing a proposal does not imply endorsement of a party’s entire programme.