The Alicante Realtors Association has voiced serious concerns about the Housing Law enacted by the government last year, noting a notable rise in rents across the region. They cite a 16% increase in 2022 as evidence of how the law reshaped the local rental market. The association emphasizes that these figures reflect real experiences for tenants and landlords alike, as prices rise and competition tightens, not merely abstract statistics. [Alicante Realtors Association]
Marife Esteso, who led the discussion, described the regulation as a misstep. She contends it has reduced the availability of homes for rent in recent months and added friction to the market. In her view, the law did not meet its stated aims; instead of expanding rental housing, it seems to have discouraged it by increasing risk and costs for property owners. [Alicante Realtors Association]
Esteso maintains that the regulation weakens landlords’ legal protections, prompting some owners to sell rental properties or convert them into short-term tourist stays. The result is a tighter supply of rental housing and ongoing price increases in Alicante. She warns that the current framework leaves many homeowners vulnerable and that rental households still face high barriers despite the act’s intentions. [Alicante Realtors Association]
The President of the Alicante Realtors Association notes that the federation had warned about the Housing Law, which took effect on May 26, potentially triggering rent caps in some areas and lengthening eviction processes for vulnerable households. The concerns extend to the practical effects on both sides of the rental equation, where friction can deter new leases and complicate current arrangements. [Alicante Realtors Association]
Esteso stresses that some homeowners are more exposed than many tenants, yet protections under the act do not fully cover them. She points out that most homeowners with rental properties are middle-income individuals who rely on rent as a supplementary income stream. The new rules, she argues, fail to account for the financial realities faced by these property owners and can disrupt the balance between landlord risk and tenant stability. [Alicante Realtors Association]
Bills
On the topic of real estate management costs, the head of API explains that these expenses fall directly on property owners. This dynamic raises overall costs for homeowners, reduces incentives to rent, and weakens tenant protections because professionals are often seen as serving the landlord’s interests. A qualified broker, however, can act as a neutral mediator, guiding both parties through contract signing and offering insights on current and future transactions to reduce friction. [Alicante API College]
The Alicante Realtors Association highlights a surge in seasonal rents, reporting a 46 percent increase after the Housing Law took effect in Alicante. This spike demonstrates how policy shifts ripple through market segments in ways that surprise local families and investors alike, sometimes widening the gap between what renters can afford and the value of available housing. [Alicante Realtors Association]
In response, the Alicante Realtors Association urges governments to pursue measures that genuinely expand the rental housing supply. The head of the Alicante API College notes that the Housing Act’s pitfalls include criminalizing property owners rather than ensuring their legal security, leaving the rental market exposed to ongoing consequences while the law remains in force. The aim is to create a framework that protects both tenants and owners, encourages responsible renting, and fosters a healthy, transparent market where rental housing can grow without fear of destabilizing the system. [Alicante API College]