Cataluña se adelanta y quiere aprobar la regulación del alquiler de temporada antes de verano | Economía | EL PAÍS

Catalonia's Short-Term Rental Regulation

The Catalan Parliament is set to approve a law regulating short-term and room rentals before summer. This follows a broader effort by the regional government to intervene in the housing market, amidst a housing crisis in Spain. The law aims to establish price caps and address concerns about landlords circumventing existing rent control measures.

Political Landscape

The initiative has drawn support from the left-leaning parties in the Catalan Parliament, including the Socialists, ERC, and CUP, while facing opposition from the right and real-estate groups. The approval highlights the growing political divide in Catalonia surrounding the issue of housing.

Industry Opposition

Real estate associations strongly criticized the potential regulation, warning of negative economic and social impacts. They argue that short-term rentals are essential for mobility and employment, and that price control is a legal overreach. They plan to challenge the law through legal channels, including potentially the Constitutional Court.

Key Provisions

• Price caps for short-term and room rentals.
• Distinction between recreational and residential short-term rentals.
• Stricter regulations for room rentals to prevent exploitation.
• Heavy fines (up to €900,000) for fraudulent use of short-term rental contracts.

The Catalan government's move is considered a significant development in Spain's ongoing housing crisis, where similar regulations are currently stalled at the national level.