Barcelona sees early successes from its rules on fixed-term rental contracts, which have been in force since January, but considers them insufficient. The trigger is new analysis by elDiario.es, which found that short-term rentals account for around 45 per cent of online listings nationwide. The figure is considerably higher in the cities most affected – over 80 per cent in Bilbao and Donostia and 77 per cent in Barcelona.
The city administration stresses that landlords in Barcelona have had to document the fixed-term nature of tenancies since the start of the year and that rent caps also apply to fixed-term contracts. According to the city council, this has made circumvention more difficult. In other cities, providers commonly switch to “alquiler de temporada” to get around rent caps and longer minimum tenancy periods. Nevertheless, the number of fixed-term listings remains high, further reducing the supply of standard rental accommodation.
elDiario.es’s investigation shows major regional differences. In cities where rent caps are in force, listings are increasingly shifting into the fixed-term segment. Where there are no caps, rapid turnover encourages additional demands such as high deposits or agency fees and makes it easier to raise rents whenever a tenant changes. Barcelona points out that its local rules require the reasons for a fixed-term tenancy – such as a temporary work or study stay – to be documented in writing. Without proof, the protections applying to indefinite rentals are supposed to take effect.
However, the administration and experts say this is not enough. They are calling for close monitoring of platforms, penalties for unlawful relabelling, reliable data on vacant properties and coordinated oversight between the city, Generalitat and central government. The Decreto de vivienda being prepared in Madrid is considered crucial in this context: it is intended to clarify the distinction between temporary rentals, make abuses easier to penalise and align with regional rent rules. The duration, acceptable grounds and whether national rules should take precedence over the autonomous communities’ more specific provisions remain politically contentious.
The fact is that the expansion of fixed-term listings visible online is increasing pressure on households looking for homes for longer than a year. Statements attributed to the City of Barcelona and elDiario.es’s data analysis point in the same direction: without consistent enforcement of existing rules and a clear national framework, the shift towards short-term contracts looks set to continue, with significant consequences for the availability and prices of regular rental homes.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).