Recent housing decrees have raised concerns among real estate professionals, particularly over their potential impact on the supply of rental properties and the signing of new lease agreements. A rapid survey conducted by the National Federation of Real Estate Associations (FAI), involving more than 600 real estate agencies, indicates that most participating offices have already detected changes in the market. Today, at Quinta Avenida Real Estate, we examine the main findings and their potential consequences for landlords and tenants.
Housing Decrees Lead to More Than 4,200 Properties Leaving the Rental Market
According to the FAI survey reported by Valencia Plaza, 88.9% of the agencies consulted have detected changes in the residential rental market following the measures introduced by the Spanish government.
During the first ten days covered by the study, 4,235 properties were withdrawn from the traditional residential rental market or redirected towards other uses. Of these, 2,067 were removed from the long-term rental market, 1,224 were redirected towards property sales, and another 944 were shifted to seasonal rentals or room rentals.
A further 1,523 lease agreements were postponed or left pending. Overall, the FAI estimates that 5,758 transactions have been directly affected.
These figures highlight concerns within part of the sector about regulatory uncertainty and the decisions some small landlords are making regarding the future of their real estate assets.
Real Estate Agencies Report a Slowdown in Rental Contract Signings
The withdrawal of rental properties is not the only effect reported by agencies. Some 72.4% of the offices surveyed say they have experienced delays or cancellations in lease signings, averaging 2.75 affected transactions per agency.
Meanwhile, 78.1% of real estate agencies have observed properties being withdrawn from the traditional rental market, with an average of 3.78 properties per office. In addition, 56.6% report that some properties are being redirected towards the sales market, while 38.9% have detected a shift towards seasonal or room rentals.
Only 11.1% of the agencies surveyed say their activity has remained unchanged.
This situation could make it more difficult for people seeking rental accommodation, particularly in areas where available supply is already limited. However, these percentages come from an industry survey and reflect the experiences reported by the participating agencies.
Housing Market Uncertainty Influences Landlords’ Decisions
The FAI findings suggest that some landlords are reconsidering whether to keep their properties in the traditional rental market or explore alternative options.
These alternatives include selling apartments, offering seasonal rentals or renting out individual rooms. Such decisions may change the composition of the available supply for people looking for long-term accommodation.
José María Alfaro, president of the FAI, has warned about the consequences that the federation believes the regulatory changes could have. The organisation also points out that delays in signing lease agreements may leave some families without a suitable rental alternative.
At the same time, the FAI is calling for stronger protection for small landlords against potential rent arrears and believes that better administrative coordination is needed to ensure that existing safeguards work effectively.
The debate highlights the challenge of balancing tenant protection, legal certainty for landlords and the need to increase the supply of rental housing.
FAI Forecasts a Potential 30% Drop in Rental Transactions
In light of the reported developments, the National Federation of Real Estate Associations forecasts that the volume of residential rental transactions could fall by between 25% and 30% over the coming weeks.
This projection is based on both the suspension of new lease signings and the withdrawal of properties or their transfer to other real estate uses. It is an industry forecast rather than a confirmed decline across the entire market.
Developments over the coming months will show whether landlords maintain these decisions and whether the slowdown affects the availability of rental apartments.
The FAI has proposed a “Marshall Plan for Emergency Housing” to improve access to accommodation. The proposal involves a national agreement bringing together parliamentary groups, regional governments, social organisations and industry experts.
Conclusion: The Rental Market Faces a Period of Uncertainty
The FAI survey indicates that real estate agencies are observing property withdrawals, changes in how homes are used and delays in lease signings following the housing decrees. Although further monitoring will be needed to assess the full impact of these trends, the figures highlight the importance of regulatory stability and an adequate supply of rental housing.
At Quinta Avenida Real Estate, we continue to monitor developments in the real estate market and the changes that may influence the decisions of landlords and tenants.
If you want to sell, buy or rent your property, visit the Quinta Avenida Real Estate website to discover how we can support you with personalised advice throughout the entire process.
