Evicted Spanish Pensioner to Return Home, New Law Sought
After more than four hours of talks, the landlord agreed to a new lease as protests over Spain’s housing crisis spread nationwide.
- On Monday, 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal reached an agreement with landlord Urbagestión to return to her Madrid apartment under a new eight-year contract with rent similar to her previous rate.
- Police forcibly evicted Abascal on a stretcher from her home of over 70 years on September 23, after Urbagestión increased rent from €500 to €2,650 per month following its 2018 purchase.
- Nationwide protests escalated on Saturday when 30,000 marchers gathered in Madrid demanding tenant protections, while activists established hundreds of tents at Puerta del Sol to press for housing relief.
- Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez promised housing relief measures Tuesday, while the municipal Rental Mediation Service facilitated Abascal's deal, capping tenant rent at no more than 40% of net income.
- Spain faces a deficit of 750,000 homes, complicating broader recovery efforts, while Madrid President Isabel Diaz Ayuso criticized protesters for attempting to "change the rules of the game" on contracts.
189 Articles
189 Articles
The octogenarian had to leave his apartment, the owner of which had caused the monthly rent to increase by 275%. His case caused nationwide protests.
A senior had to leave her home in Madrid against her will. Now the woman is allowed to return. The case triggered nationwide protests in Spain.
The woman's lawyer reports an agreement. The case had triggered massive protests in Madrid and also put politics in a bad mood.
Deal for evicted pensioner Maricarmen as Spain's PM seeks new housing law
A Madrid pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests that have piled pressure on the government to resolve Spain's housing crisis can return home after a deal with the property's owners, her lawyer said on Monday.
Maricarmen, a pensioner from Madrid, could not pay the rent determined by the company that owns the apartment. However, after major protests, it was agreed that he should stay in the apartment.
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