The supply of rental housing is falling in Catalonia and throughout the State. A phenomenon that, far from being isolated, shows a worrying trend that conditions access to housing and puts pressure on prices. This reduction has accelerated especially since 2023, coinciding with the entry into force of measures to limit rents and regulate tourist uses.
According to data from the Observatorio del Alquiler, in Barcelona city alone nearly 6,900 homes have been withdrawn from the long-term rental market in just over a year. Nationwide, the number exceeds 14,500 homes. A figure that calls into question the effectiveness of policies to guarantee the right to housing if they are not accompanied by a real increase in the available stock.
A trend in retreat
The trend is not new, but it has accelerated. The Alquiler Seguro report (July 2025) shows how, between 2023 and the first half of 2025, many properties have moved to:
- Being sold in the face of legal uncertainty.
- Being used for seasonal rentals or room rentals (with higher yields).
- Being transformed for tourist uses or remaining temporarily off the market awaiting regulatory changes.
This decline especially affects urban areas with high demand and price tension, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Palma, Valencia, or San Sebastián.
Why is this happening?
The objective of increasing accessibility through rent caps, new reference indices, and regulation of tourist rentals is legitimate. But in many cases, the effect has been the opposite: faced with the perception of a reduction in contractual freedom and profitability, many owners decide to withdraw the property or change their business model. According to the Fotocasa Research study from June, 24% of owners who were renting have decided to sell or not renew the contract, and 11% choose to make a different use of the property (seasonal rental, shared study, second home…).
Direct impact: less supply, more pressure
The reduction in supply has a direct effect: prices remain stable or even increase, especially in areas where demand does not let up. In Barcelona, the average rental price has risen by 8% year-on-year (according to Idealista, July 2025), with even higher figures in districts such as Gràcia, Eixample, or Sant Martí.
The situation also affects the most vulnerable families. In Valencia, for example, 60% of rental aid applications have been denied due to a lack of supply that meets the economic requirements established by the Generalitat Valenciana (Cadena SER, July 2025).
An opportunity to rethink the model
From Llach Serra, we argue that it is necessary to rethink the rental model with a perspective that combines security for tenants and confidence for owners.
- Commit to transparent and balanced contracts that protect both parties.
- Generate incentives to bring housing to the market (taxation, public guarantees, insurance…).
- Promote public-private collaboration formulas to expand the affordable housing stock.
Reducing the rental supply is not the solution. On the contrary: today’s challenge is to ensure that there is more housing available, more stable, and more accessible. Without this, the right to housing remains only on paper.
At Llach Serra, we believe that realistic, transparent, and sustainable solutions are needed. If you are an owner or are thinking of putting a home up for rent, contact us: we will help you do it with guarantees and a long-term perspective.