A New Strategy to Combat Speculation
The mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, has raised the need to establish a price limit for seasonal rentals, considering that this measure could be key to dealing with the increase in speculation in the real estate market. In a recent interview with ‘Els matins’ on 3Cat, he expressed his confidence that the Congress of Deputies could approve a regulation that would equalize the prices of seasonal rentals with conventional ones.
Legislative Modifications on the Way
Collboni pointed out that there is currently a proposal in process to modify the Urban Leases Law (LAU), with the aim of integrating seasonal rentals into the same regime as other rentals. He informed the Socialist deputies of the importance of addressing this ‘dark spot’ in the real estate market, and expressed optimism about the possibility of having the necessary support for this reform.
Political Support and Expectations
The mayor believes that the majority in the chamber is viable, including the possibility of receiving the support of Junts. ‘This proposal is very reasonable,’ he said, highlighting the need for collective action to control rental prices.
Positive Effects of the New Regulations
Collboni observed that the changes in regulation are already starting to influence the market. ‘Some investment funds that previously relied on speculation have decided to withdraw from Barcelona and Catalonia, as the new regulations have changed the rules of the game,’ he explained.
Sheltered Housing and Alternative Proposals
Regarding the 30% social housing measure, the mayor reiterated his intention to redistribute this offer within the same neighborhood. Despite his desire to move forward with this initiative immediately, he acknowledged that its implementation is stalled and depends on the decisions of some political parties such as ERC.
Collaboration with the Third Sector
Regarding the collaborative social purchasing model like Casa Orsola, Collboni indicated that several third sector entities have expressed interest in participating in similar initiatives. However, he defended that the residents of Casa Orsola cannot be considered privileged, thus rejecting the criticisms that have recently emerged.
The Casuistics of the Butterfly Blog
Regarding the Bloc Papallona, which is in a comparable situation, the mayor explained that not all cases can follow the same formula and stressed the importance of the entire building belonging to a single owner in order to apply this methodology. ‘Expropriation is not a viable option,’ he concluded.
