The regulation of temporary rentals: a “new patch” by the Government to “disguise” the lack of public housing in Barcelona

At Konta Partners, we are taking part in the debate on the new regulation of temporary rentals in Barcelona.
Our founding partner Eduardo Navarrete was interviewed by Metropoli Abierta to share our perspective on the implications of this measure.

We warn that limiting temporary rentals, without significantly increasing the supply of housing for residents and workers, could further reduce the available market supply, worsen the housing shortage, and impact sectors such as hospitality, creating inefficiencies in some areas.

As we pointed out, with the latest housing policies we could be heading towards a scenario like that of Ibiza, where workers cannot afford to live in the city, reducing the productivity of labor-intensive sectors.
Every new housing policy generated in this country creates a new problem.

We advocate for urgent and structural solutions, such as creating a multidisciplinary and permanent commission with All the stakeholders involved to seek joint solutions, converting vacant commercial premises and offices into housing to generate a real and sustainable supply, building on public land, or creating affordable rentals using the large number of properties owned by Sareb throughout the metropolitan area, among other actions.

It is necessary to create an affordable housing supply, but without harming other productive sectors such as entrepreneurship, education, hospitality, research, and congresses, because there will not be enough beds for all those groups.