Junts blocks both of Sánchez's housing decrees, easing pressure on landlords

In an effort to placate coalition allies such as Sumar, Podemos and the Sindicato de Inquilinas, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez split a housing reform into two separate decrees. The initial decree would have prolonged existing rent-freeze rules, barred evictions of vulnerable tenants until the end of 2030, and imposed new limits on rent hikes and seasonal rentals. The follow-up decree proposed automatic renewal of leases and required landlords to pay twelve months’ rent if they declined to renew.

Catalan separatist party Junts voted down both proposals, effectively stopping the reforms and granting a brief respite to landlords and investors. The defeat marks another parliamentary loss for Sánchez’s administration amid ongoing tensions over housing policy.