Major Spanish property portal faces sanctions over rental adverts that may mislead tenants

A major Spanish property website is under investigation by the consumer ministry after complaints from consumer group CECU. The investigation centers on rental adverts that may mislead potential tenants, with the portal itself facing potential sanctions rather than the individual landlords. Spain's consumer ministry has initiated sanctions proceedings against the unidentified property website after receiving a complaint from CECU.

The ministry is examining whether the platform engaged in unfair commercial practices. The case is the first of its kind against a platform for its own conduct. If penalties are imposed, they could reach up to €100,000 or four to six times the illicit profit gained by the portal. The case follows other recent actions by the department, including an investigation into a large rental company accused of imposing excessive fees on tenants.

The government has warned that Spain's rental advert rules will be enforced, and portals need to share responsibility for the content of their listings. The Consumer Service Law, which took effect on December 27, 2025, requires adverts to display specific information, such as the reference price index for the area, previous rent, and rent-capped limits.

If the portals comply with these requirements, it could alter how renters view listings across the country. The outcome of the case is still pending, and renters are advised to verify the accuracy of the advertised information before proceeding.