The coalition government has moved to end the mandatory six-month extension of rental contracts, a policy that aimed to protect tenants during a period of market volatility. The decision was approved last December, and a royal decree expected to be signed this Tuesday by the Cabinet of Ministers confirms that the measure requiring landlords to extend leases until June 30 will not be renewed for another six months. Alejandra Jacinto, spokesperson for Sumar on housing issues, criticized the move sharply, calling it an ugly step that could worsen tenants’ vulnerability during a time of economic stress.
Jacinto, a representative who has linked the Podemos faction with the housing portfolio within the Yolanda Díaz project, asserted on a public platform that the socialist wing of the government has lifted the lease extension given six months ago. She argued that the policy had previously helped avoid opportunistic price hikes and forced relocations, and she cautioned that its removal could expose tenants to renewed price manipulation. The housing authorities had argued that the measure was designed to shield tenants from sharp rent increases while the situation remained unstable, even though the broader market dynamics have not fundamentally shifted.
Despite the adoption of a housing law that caps rent updates at 2% for the current year and 3% for 2024, property owners retain the legal right to adjust rents at the conclusion of existing contracts to reflect market conditions. In this context, Jacinto reminded observers that certain regional markets with intense pressure could benefit from the enforcement of rent control, but highlighted that many regional administrations appear reluctant to regulate rent prices more broadly.
She continued to argue that there is no valid reason to prolong the precaution if it means protecting rentiers at the expense of families facing the threat of displacement and rising living costs. On social media, she reiterated that the policy should remain in effect to safeguard people from speculative fluctuations that have affected housing stability for an extended period. The debate underlines a broader conflict between housing security measures and market-driven pricing models across different jurisdictions.
Family law permits
The tension over housing policy stands in contrast with the more hopeful signals from Social Rights Minister Ione Belarra, who welcomed several provisions included in the royal decree. The package moves forward family-related protections that were previously stalled by a political timing mismatch tied to election scheduling. Among the measures, workers will now have access to five days of paid leave per year in cases of serious accident or illness, hospitalization or surgical procedures that do not require extended rest. This entitlement extends to close relatives up to the second degree and to cohabitants in need of care.
Additionally, a paid leave allowance for force majeure day events introduced in the package can be allocated by the hour, up to a total of four days per year. Finally, eight weeks of unpaid parental leave are provided, usable on a full or part-time basis, either continuously or intermittently, until the child reaches eight years of age. These provisions aim to support families navigating major life events while balancing work responsibilities with caregiving duties.
Analysts note that the royal decree marks a shift in how social rights are framed within the broader labor and housing policy landscape. Observers emphasise that while the reform expands protections in some areas, the overall impact will hinge on regional implementation and the real-world enforcement of rent-related restrictions and family entitlements. As policy discussions continue, advocates argue that a more coherent approach across regions could yield more predictable outcomes for tenants, workers, and families alike. The debate remains a salient feature of national politics as parties weigh the social costs of market-driven housing within a volatile economic environment. [Attribution: policy analysis reports, government briefings, and public statements by housing and social ministers.]