Spain’s housing crisis has become the central issue behind Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s decision to call a snap general election for November 29.

The decision followed parliament’s rejection of two government-backed housing measures aimed at easing pressure on renters and strengthening protections for vulnerable tenants. 

The measures were defeated on Friday after the conservative Popular Party, Vox and Catalan party Junts voted against them. The proposals included stronger protections against evictions, regulation of temporary and room rentals, and measures targeting rising rental costs. 

Housing Protests Spread Across Spain

The parliamentary defeat came amid nationwide protests over rising rents, housing shortages and tenant insecurity.

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Madrid and other cities, while protesters established a tent camp in central Madrid demanding urgent government action on housing. 

The protests were intensified by the case of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who was evicted from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for about 70 years.

Her eviction became a focal point for campaigners highlighting rising rents and the difficulties faced by tenants struggling to remain in their homes. 

Spain Faces Rising Housing Costs

Housing affordability has become a major issue as rents and property prices have increased while the supply of affordable homes remains limited.

Reuters reported that Spain faces a projected housing deficit of about one million homes by 2028, while affordability has become particularly difficult for younger adults. 

The crisis has also exposed differences over how Spain should respond.

While Sánchez’s government has backed stronger tenant protections and restrictions affecting the rental market, the opposition Popular Party has argued for increasing housing construction and easing planning restrictions. 

Housing Now Dominates Political Debate

Sánchez said the country needs broader political support to advance his programme, announcing the November 29 election after the housing measures failed in parliament. 

The election will now put housing policy at the centre of Spain’s national political debate, with questions over rents, new housing supply, tenant protection and access to affordable accommodation likely to remain major issues.

The post Spain Housing Crisis: Snap Election Called After Parliament Rejects Tenant Relief Measures appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Madrid and other Spanish cities on Friday, demanding parliamentary action to address the country’s worsening housing crisis.

Demonstrators gathered outside Madrid City Hall, rattling keys, blowing whistles and banging spoons against pots as they called for stronger protections for vulnerable tenants. Similar protests were held outside town halls in Barcelona and Cordoba. 

The demonstrations came ahead of a parliamentary vote on housing measures proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government.

The protests were sparked by the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for 70 years. Her case became a focal point for wider concerns over rising rents, limited housing supply and tenant protections. 

“This is the time to listen to people on the streets and stop making partisan calculations,” Alicia del Rio, spokeswoman for the Madrid Tenants’ Union, said during the protest.

What Was In The Housing Package?

The government’s proposed measures included tighter restrictions on the eviction of vulnerable tenants and restrictions on companies considered to have “speculative” aims from the real estate market until the end of 2028. 

Other measures under consideration included extending protections against evictions until 2030, extending rent controls and introducing tighter rules for short-term rentals. 

Sánchez had urged lawmakers to support the measures, calling for “a sense of responsibility” and asking politicians to put partisan divisions aside.

However, the government faced opposition from several parties in Spain’s fragmented parliament.

Parliament Rejects Housing Decree

The situation changed on Friday when Spain’s lower house rejected the government’s housing decree.

The measure was defeated by 178 votes in the 350-seat chamber after Junts withdrew its support, arguing that the proposals could reduce rental housing supply and increase prices. 

The rejection has added pressure on Sánchez’s minority government as protesters continue demanding action over housing affordability.

Abascal Set To Return Home

Abascal’s eviction had become a major symbol of the housing crisis, but she is expected to return to the Madrid apartment after reaching an agreement with its owner.

Her lawyer said the agreement would allow her to return under a new arrangement with rent similar to what she had previously paid. 

The protests have nevertheless continued, with demonstrators demanding broader changes to Spain’s housing system.

The post Spain Housing Crisis: Hundreds Protest In Madrid, Demand Tenant Protection appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The House of Representatives has proposed a new policy that would limit rent increases across Nigeria to no more than 20% of the current rate. The goal is to stop sudden rent hikes and make housing more affordable for Nigerians.

The proposal was introduced by Hon. Bassey Akiba, who represents Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency. He said that many Nigerians face unfair rent increases because there is no clear law controlling how much landlords can charge. Akiba called on the Federal Government to invest more in affordable housing and speed up the delivery of low-cost homes to ease the burden on tenants.

Lawmakers agreed that the move would help create a fairer housing system. They also directed key committees to work with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and state housing agencies to design sustainable rent policies that support low- and middle-income earners.

Lawmakers Demand Accountability from Security Agencies

In another decision, the House directed the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that officers on duty at checkpoints wear full uniforms and carry proper identification. The lawmakers said this would improve accountability and public trust in security operations.

This move follows similar actions by the Lagos State House of Assembly, which recently strengthened the enforcement of the 2015 Tenancy Law. The law prevents unreasonable rent increases and protects tenants from exploitation.

The Lagos Assembly also instructed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure strict enforcement, while the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, was asked to increase public awareness about tenants’ rights under existing laws.

The House of Representatives has proposed a new policy that would limit rent increases across Nigeria to no more than 20% of the current rate. The goal is to stop sudden rent hikes and make housing more affordable for Nigerians.
The proposal was introduced by Hon. Bassey Akiba, who represents Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency. He said that many Nigerians face unfair rent increases because there is no clear law controlling how much landlords can charge. Akiba called on the Federal Government to invest more in affordable housing and speed up the delivery of low-cost homes to ease the burden on tenants.
Lawmakers agreed that the move would help create a fairer housing system. They also directed key committees to work with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and state housing agencies to design sustainable rent policies that support low- and middle-income earners.
Lawmakers Demand Accountability from Security AgenciesIn another decision, the House directed the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that officers on duty at checkpoints wear full uniforms and carry proper identification. The lawmakers said this would improve accountability and public trust in security operations.

This move follows similar actions by the Lagos State House of Assembly, which recently strengthened the enforcement of the 2015 Tenancy Law. The law prevents unreasonable rent increases and protects tenants from exploitation.

The Lagos Assembly also instructed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure strict enforcement, while the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, was asked to increase public awareness about tenants’ rights under existing laws.

The post Nigeria’s Lawmakers Seek to Limit Rent Hikes to 20% to Protect Tenants appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

In a decisive move to rein in the activities of property agents and curb arbitrary rent increases, the Abia State House of Assembly has advanced two landmark bills aimed at reforming the state’s housing sector.

The legislative action includes the first reading of a bill sponsored by Hon. Egwuronu Mandela Obasi (Ohafia North), and the second reading of another sponsored by Deputy Speaker Austin Okezie Meregini (Umuahia East). Both bills seek to introduce greater oversight and consumer protection for tenants across the state.

If passed into law, the proposed legislation will mandate compulsory registration of all property agents with the Ministry of Housing. It will also criminalize the widespread practice of collecting rent from multiple tenants for the same property.

A key provision of the bill pegs the maximum agent’s fee at 5% of the rent, while also capping rent advances at six months, a move designed to ease financial pressure on tenants. Landlords will be prohibited from demanding, and tenants from paying, more than six months’ rent upfront.

The legislation also aims to tackle exploitative practices in the rental market, including hidden or excessive charges. It provides a legal framework to challenge such actions, classifying them as violations once the bill is enacted.

To further streamline the process of property recovery, the bill mandates that tenants must present proof of rent and utility payments when initiating or responding to tenancy-related litigation. Importantly, it also shields tenants from eviction while contesting rent hikes in court.

In a related development, the House passed into second reading H.A.B. 34 of 2025, also sponsored by Deputy Speaker Meregini, which complements the earlier bill by specifically targeting arbitrary rent increases and reinforcing protections for both tenants and landlords.

Commenting on the twin legislative efforts, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa, emphasized that the bills represent a proactive step towards bringing order, fairness, and accountability to the housing sector in Abia State.

“These bills are about doing the right thing, ensuring that both landlords and tenants are treated fairly, and that property transactions are conducted transparently,” he said.

The proposed reforms have been welcomed by housing advocates and tenant groups, who have long called for tighter regulation of the property market in the state.

The post Abia Lawmakers Push for Stronger Tenant Protections, Rent Regulation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.