The Constitutional Court has deemed Catalonia does not have devolved power to determine criteria in order to set rental prices. For that matter, the main Catalan property sector organisations, with the Catalan Association of Property Agents (Asociación de Agentes Inmobiliarios de Catalunya, AIC) in charge, chaired by Vicenç Hernández Reche -also Tecnotramit’s CEO- regret not being heard even though repeatedly requesting meetings with the President of the Catalan regional government in order to convey concerns and proposals, as well as share experience and knowledge of the market’s behaviour.
Accordingly, reiterated opposing decisions are causing and worsening a situation of legal uncertainty on such a delicate and basic topic as is housing, which requires stability. Therefore, the Catalan property sector has warned: ‘It is time the Catalan government and its parliamentary groups face the housing issue once and for all. Deep, structural measures must be taken instead of populist actions that only cause the opposite effect: less affordable housing is available and distrust is growing.’
‘Adequate, prudent framework must be created so all affected may participate; necessary conditions lead to an authentic social dialogue; and, ultimately, required elements implement a true public-private partnership amongst all involved or at least reach needed consensus in which each participant assumes its role. As main partakers of the private sector, owners and tenants must settle their disagreements but also demand the public sector’s direct involvement by means of effective measures to establish security and stability, calm down the market, and restore trust in rentals,’ as indicated in the joint statement of the most important Catalan property bodies.
Consequently, the Catalan property sector has reiterated its offer and willingness to cooperate and participate by initiating truly effective measures. The aforementioned statement calls for: ‘Proposals from particular social movements must not solely be heard so politicians are restricted in following these ideologies. All participants involved must be taken into account in order to arrange fair and balanced regulations which represent an effective and stable solution to the problem of accessing housing.’