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Sánchez Reveals that the Housing Law will Extend Rentals to 5 Years

12 September 2018 – El Diario

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez (pictured below), has demanded agreement from the political groups this afternoon regarding the next Housing Law, which will include, amongst other measures, an increase in the terms of rental contracts, and their subsequent extensions, to 5 years from their current duration of 3 years.

Sánchez posted the request on his Facebook account, with a link to Twitter, where he indicated that he was “appealing to all political forces to reach a pact that will convert housing into a right for citizens, far removed from speculation”.

The President of the Government highlighted that he wants to “shield” the “social function” of housing and he revealed several aspects in this regard.

Besides the increase in the duration of rental contracts and their subsequent extensions to five years, Sánchez highlighted “a shock plan for 20,000 rental homes to increase supply and whereby reduce the pressure on prices”.

Similarly, he promised an “improvement in the fiscal framework to stimulate supply and moderate prices”, a “review of the aid programs for young people”, and the “regulation of tourist apartments”.

Sánchez also mentioned an “improvement in the financing of housing developments through the ICO”, the Official Credit Institute, as well as a “reorientation of the State Housing Plan to promote and protect a public housing stock that is sufficient and affordable, and which allows us to attend, in particular, to the needs of the most vulnerable people in society”.

As the Head of the Government concluded, “Achieving social progress that will change the lives of thousands of people is in our hands”.

The Minister for Development, José Luis Ábalos, reported last week that an inter-ministerial group was working on specific proposals for housing, and he said that in terms of addressing the rise in rental prices, they are studying legal reforms regarding rental contract terms and extensions, amongst other measures (…).

Original story: El Diario 

Translation: Carmel Drake