Elena M. decided to listen to a friend and change the formula a few months ago, after some disagreements about the collection of rent for the flat she inherited from her parents. No longer renting the house in Poble Sec for 950 Euros, but after making some improvements ‘squeeze’ rooms one by one at the rate of 600, 500 and 450 euros depending on size, until you receive 1,550 euros per month. The first was leased to a friend who was in charge of the property and checked out other tenants. This is not the only formula that breaks the traditional shared student housing pattern of sharing costs. The evolution of the market, whether due to prices or regulatory uncertainty, has caused many owners to both individuals such as property managers, to choose to rent a room for remains medium to people who do not know each other but will share the kitchen, living room and bathroom for medium or long-term stays. In many cases, professional management from start to finish platforms or companiesand with an increasingly higher price segment even a thousand euros a month for a room in Barcelona, many times it almost looks like a hotel.
increased prices
Non-tourist room rental, three types of potential users: a history of college students living together during the school season, people (increasingly) unable to reach a full house even if they have a job due to rising prices, and foreign students or young workers arriving to spend a stage. Barcelona and location dominate. A large audience with very different demands. First, a lowest price threshold in ads posted on major portals: from about 300 euros (usually in very decentralized apartments) to about 600 euros. Especially in professional management and contracting expenses, rates increase according to regions and conditions. Given the increasing demand, there are more quality options or options with more bathrooms, with examples 1,400 euros, for example, if only a few people live together.
final report photo house In shared homes, the most expensive city to rent a room in Spain marks Barcelona. The current average price of 575 euros, After increasing it by 25%. idealist A few months ago, he placed it at 450 euros after a 14% price increase and a sharp drop in current supply. Another report from this month, in this case from the rental platform spot houseIt also breaks the state record for room rates in the Catalan capital with more than a month’s rental in major cities. 606 euros average subscribers by contract.
Going to the current offer, this week on portals like Idealista, 1,700 of the 2,600 room listings in the city were over 500 euros. Of these, 652 were offered. More than 700 euros, not more than a few to a thousand.
Bearing in mind that the new interprofessional minimum wage is EUR 1,080, a room becomes luxury for a mileurista in town. Photocasa’s Director of Studies, María Matos, explains this phenomenon: Most people sharing an apartment in big cities are between the ages of 18 and 35, but “as birthdays get older, the desire to share to socialize becomes a passion. Distributing expenses as the increase in rent does not allow them to be independent.” obligation”. Both for those who are looking for a room and for those who choose to offer it at home because they cannot earn a living. destruction in the development of family nuclei, deprive of privacy It can affect people, and therefore even birth rates,” he adds. In fact, the average age of people searching Idealista in the Catalan capital is 34.
No-visit and paid reservations
To give an example of evolution, almost a third of the current offer on the same portal, 800, already professionally managed. logo companies or platforms It appears in advertisements and text (in various languages) and many refer to websites. each has his own way fee, from a percentage to the equivalent of a monthly payment (as with apartments), although some stays are for several months and have a high customer turnover. In some cases, they directly manage the houses they own. In other formats, it can be seen that the same person (according to the name) rents ‘beds’ on different floors, sometimes with large forks. In most cases it is difficult to reach them by phone and they do all communication by e-mail. Some have their headquarters abroad or in Madrid.
Expanding operators include Smart Living, which started in Madrid and is now growing in Barcelona and Valencia. They describe themselves as experts in shared flats, especially for students and “young professionals”. A company spokesperson points out that they are integrating both their own portfolios and those of other owners.
Spotahome, born as a ‘start-up’ in 2014 and currently (these days) rental ‘marketplace’ (non-touristy) 2,620 room options in the city (in addition to apartments) based on instant online rental with no visit required, with the guarantee that the photos are close to reality. The landlord is not paid until the tenant enters the room and checks that everything is as expected, avoiding any scams, a responsible person explains. They are currently expanding their services with advice to both individuals (who can market the entire house by rooms or just one room) and owners, including ‘property managers’ with a portfolio of properties. Owners are the people who set the price, length of stay and conditions. On their website they promise the owner “maximum profitability in mid-stay rental“Your home will always be full, generating recurring and guaranteed income,” they emphasize, compared to unused periods that the tourism business can share.
From tourist business to temporary for individual rooms
Some elements are reminiscent of the beginning of tourist circles. Nearly two decades ago, the first owners, who started running homes for day travelers, planted a lucrative melon that lasted for years until the industry was regulated and new licenses were banned. While the city council has since had to fight illegality, more than 9,000 licensees with no expiration dates have earned (and are making) gold and multiply the value of their properties. But once the law was deceived and it was considered impossible to rent a house or room for less than a month (it would be touristy), many jumped into temporary accommodation (more than a month and as a rule less than a year). They stated that the demand, especially from foreigners coming for business, is freer, more profitable and more attractive than long-term rental, as long as there is no price limitation from the Administration or customer problems. defaults. The new change is to rent smaller space units, rooms that tend to have an almost hotel-like appearance in professionalized situations.