The Spanish government urges 541 real estate agencies with 50,000 rentals to extend contracts if requested
Request the application of the decree of measures for the war pending validation in Congress
BarcelonaThe Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda sent a letter this Friday to 541 real estate agencies and investment funds that manage or concentrate 50 or more properties each, informing them that they must mandatorily extend the contracts of their tenants that expire between March 22, 2026, and December 31, 2027, if the tenants have requested it. In total, as the ministry reported in a statement, the companies to which this letter has been sent manage more than 50,000 rentals.
In the letter, signed by the Director General of Consumer Affairs, all companies are informed of the obligation to comply with decree-law 8/2026, of March 20, which adopts urgent measures regarding rentals in response to the economic and social consequences derived from the international situation. The measures directly affect habitual residence rentals, a sector in which these real estate agencies operate.
The decree to which the letter refers is expected to be submitted for validation in the Congress of Deputies next week, and the Spanish government is working to secure the necessary support so that it does not lapse.
According to a report prepared by Consum in collaboration with the CSIC, released yesterday Thursday, 61% of the rental market is in the hands of private multi-landlords and legal entities, while the small landlord with a single rental property controls 39% of rented homes.
The study also notes that owners or individuals who receive rent from habitual residence housing represent 4.9% of the total population compared to the volume of tenants, who constitute 20.8% of the population.
Multi-landlords control an even larger proportion of the rental market in large cities such as Las Palmas (65%), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (64.6%), Palma (63%), Barcelona (60.8%), Madrid (56.4%), or Valencia (55%), according to the study.
In this regard, the letter also explains to large holders what the extraordinary extension of habitual residence lease agreements consists of: the tenant will be able to extraordinarily renew their rental contract once the duration ends, for annual periods, and for a maximum of two additional years.
Mandatory extension
Therefore, remember the ministry of Pablo Bustinduy, the norm generates a new right to renew the rental contract for two years which, prior to the tenant's request, the landlord will have to accept obligatorily, maintaining the terms and conditions of the contract in force.
Consum has requested the entities to exercise the utmost diligence to ensure the correct application of the measures, as well as the adoption of the internal procedures necessary to comply immediately.
The decree providing for the extension of rents will be voted on next week in Congress and the Spanish government is working to gather the necessary support so that the approved measures do not lapse.