LISTED: 11 key housing laws Spain wants to pass in September
From changes to room and seasonal rentals, to deductions for repair costs and new rules for the IBI property tax, here are the major changes Spain's leftist government wants to add to housing legislation, and their impact on tenants and landlords.
Spain's Socialist-led government is preparing to pass 11 key housing laws in September, aiming to address the country's housing crisis and improve the situation for both tenants and landlords. These amendments to the Urban Leases Law (LAU) will introduce several significant changes:
1. Room rentals will be treated as traditional residential leases, subject to the same rules and rent limits as other properties.
2. Tenants who repair damages to their rented property can deduct the costs from their future rent, if the landlord fails to respond within 15 days or refuses to carry out the necessary repairs.
3. Tenants have the right of first refusal to buy a property being sold by their landlord, which cannot be waived in the contract.
4. If a landlord has a temporary contract with a tenant, it must be justified and cannot exceed 12 months or be consecutive for the same tenant in the same property.
5. When a landlord sells a property, the tenant has the right of first refusal to purchase it at the same price, with the property's price identified in the larger transaction.
6. If a property report is not signed by the landlord and tenant upon moving in, the law will presume the property was handed over in good condition.
7. Evictions could be suspended until alternative housing becomes available for tenants in vulnerable situations.
8. The IBI (property tax) can no longer be charged to tenants by landlords.
9. Short-term tourist rentals will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 21%, eliminating the current exemption.
Written by urgent.news from The Local Spain's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
