Stories
Evicted 87-Year-Old Spanish Woman Returns Home, Sparking Housing Reform
- •María del Carmen Abascal, 87, will return to her Madrid apartment after her eviction sparked widespread protests and government action.
- •Abascal's agreement limits her rent to 30% of her income, ensuring she pays no more than her previous 500 euros per month.
- •Spain's government introduced measures to address the housing crisis, including extending eviction protection, regulating room rentals, and taxing seasonal rentals.
- •The new decree also bans "speculative real estate purchases by vulture funds" until 2028 and offers tax breaks for landlords renting to low-income tenants.
- •Protesters, including the Madrid Tenants' Union, remain cautious, planning further action to ensure the government fully addresses housing rights.
Key Questions Answered
The government extended eviction protections for vulnerable Spaniards until 2030, regulated room rentals, imposed a new tax on seasonal rentals, and banned speculative real estate purchases by vulture funds until 2028. It also offers tax breaks for landlords renting to low-income tenants, interest-free loans for first-time homebuyers, and measures to promote public housing construction.
The eviction of 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal sparked massive protests that led her lawyer to accept a deal with the apartment's owning company, allowing her to return home. The agreement limits her rent to 30 percent of her income, keeping it at no more than the 500 euros per month she paid previously.
Parliament has 30 days to ratify the measures, and the government has called an extraordinary plenary session for Friday to expedite the process. Because the coalition holds 152 of the 350 seats, it will need support from smaller parties across the political spectrum to successfully pass the bills.
