Caps prevent rent increases: they rise by 1% since 2024

BarcelonaTwo years after the entry into force of the rent caps, the Generalitat fiercely defends the measure: "It is working as planned," government sources assure. Rents across the country have risen by 1% since the first quarter of 2024—just before the application of the regulation—, according to the deposits held by Incasòl. At the same time, contrary to the premises of the real estate sector, the Generalitat guarantees that "the regulation has not reduced supply," but rather turnover: families change housing less often and stay longer in the flats they already occupy.

The average price of contracts signed between March and June is 877.81 euros. The trend differs by area: while in the 271 municipalities considered a stressed residential market zone (ZMRT) they have fallen by 0.7% in the last two years, in the rest they have risen by 11%, according to this data. In the city of Barcelona, on the other hand, they have fallen by 4.4%. In the capital, the average rent reaches 1,140.89 euros.

Despite the general assessment, prices have indeed risen compared to 2025, and compared to the first quarter of this year, also in the stressed zones. This is because the caps require that new rents start from the price set in the last contract, plus inflation: that is to say, as time passes, new contracts are based on higher foundations. Despite the caps, the price trend replicates—in a much smaller volume—the one it has had in recent years.

In defense of the data

However, the figures offered by the Generalitat differ from other studies. According to the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), the average cost of a room in Barcelona in August was around 735 euros per month, even though the law establishes that the sum of room contracts cannot exceed the price cap for the apartment.

The Catalan government has defended the reliability of its data, based on Incasòl deposits, because it ensures that it faithfully reflects the situation of the housing stock: "They are data comparable to those of the census of families living in rental housing".

A total of 50 inspectors

Asked about the sanctions imposed for violating the housing law, the government has proposed 45 sanctions, amounting to more than 1.3 million euros, for both small and large property owners. Government sources have justified the lack of firm sanctions so far because "many" of the files "reach administrative litigation".

Overall, the Catalan administration has 50 inspectors to pursue all infringements of the law that is intended to ensure the right to housing.