On June 27, 2018, the new Housing Law of the Balearic Government came into force with the aim of tackling the housing shortage.
Affected are so-called large owners (grans tenidors), i.e. companies, not individuals. The exact definition of “grans tenidors” is that their business must be in the real estate industry, in sale, rental or financing. If you own more than ten apartments that have been vacant for more than 2 years, the state government can claim them. In this case, the city administration pays the owners an amount and decides on their use. The amount of this compensation is still outstanding.
The owners will have the obligation, within a period of three month, to register the empty houses in the registry “Office of Unemployed Housing” under the threat of sanction if it is breached.
Further measures of the „Ley de Vivienda de Baleares“:
- More inspectors. Detection of empty houses or irregular use of social housing (VPO).
- Vulnerability. It recognizes the right of access to housing for people in situations of particular vulnerability. They are entitled to social housing or, if that is not possible, housing subsidies.
- Energy poverty. All basic supplies are guaranteed to all citizens and cannot be cut if the social services accredit a precarious situation.