The increase in rent as a social norm
In recent years, the trend of living in a rental property has become an increasingly common reality for a growing number of people. A recent report by the Urban Research Institute of Barcelona (IDRA) reveals this situation, entitled ‘From owners to tenants’, which highlights the impact of the chronicity of rent on today’s society.
Factors that promote permanence in renting
A number of factors contribute to this dynamic, including financial constraints to acquiring property and low expectations of real estate inheritance. According to the data collected, seven out of ten tenants in Barcelona do not anticipate receiving a home as an inheritance, a fact that conditions their future perspective.
Inheritance expectations and their complexity
The study also looks at inheritance expectations among different age groups and nationalities. Young Spaniards aged 16 to 34 are the ones who expect to inherit the most, while foreigners aged 35 to 64 are among the least optimistic. In addition, most of those who will inherit will do so with the obligation to share the property with other heirs, further complicating the situation.
The real estate market and its consequences
The research highlights that the concentration of properties in the hands of a few is an increasingly marked phenomenon. Between 2008 and 2020, nearly half of real estate purchases were made by companies with multiple properties. This, together with high prices and restrictive market conditions, makes it difficult to access property.
An endless rental cycle
Tenants are stuck in a cycle where rent prices continue to rise, while the chances of improving their situation are minimal. The research indicates that the inequality between owners and tenants is widening, turning rent into a vector of social inequality.
Recommendations for a sustainable housing policy
Faced with this situation, the study proposes several measures that administrations could implement to improve access to housing. Among the recommendations is the increase in the public housing stock, the recovery of flats intended for tourism and the implementation of taxes that discourage the accumulation of properties.
A look towards the future
Experts warn that current solutions, such as aid for young tenants, do not address the roots of the problem and end up benefiting landlords and banking institutions. It is essential to rethink strategies to ensure that housing is an accessible right for all, rather than a luxury for the few.
