Mallorca rent rise limits blocked in Balearic vote

Mallorca councils miss out on a proposed way to curb rent rises: the Balearic parliament in Palma, Mallorca, votes down a Socialist (PSIB) bill on Tuesday, 6 October. The People’s Party (PP) and Vox cast 33 votes against it, while PSIB, MÉS per Mallorca, Més per Menorca and Unidas Podemos cast 24 in favour.

What councils would have gained

The bill would have let municipalities apply to designate areas where the housing market is under pressure, with the aim of limiting rent increases. The Balearic Housing Institute could also have made an application. Once an area was designated, the regional government would have had to draw up a plan of measures. The designation would have lasted three years, with the option of annual extensions.

PSIB spokesman Iago Negueruela pointed to Inca and Artà as Mallorca towns whose councils should have that option. He claimed rents in Palma would be around 900 euros rather than 1,400 euros if the measure had been in place since the start of the parliamentary term.

Why PP and Vox opposed it

PP member Margalida Pocoví argued that rent controls would create uncertainty and take homes off the market. She said her party’s approach was to increase the supply of housing. Vox spokeswoman Manuela Cañadas said price limits would add bureaucracy without creating more homes.

The vote means councils will not get the power to seek rent-rise limits set out in this bill.

Topics: Housing · Tourism · Politics · Palma · Inca · Artà

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com