Story perspectives

Sánchez Promises Royal Decree to Freeze Rents, Halt Evictions

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 10:18 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Investment fund Urbagestión evicted 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Retiro apartment.
Urbagestión raised her rent from €500 to €2,650, then €1,650, exceeding her €1,350 pension.
On Wednesday, tens of thousands protested in Madrid and other cities, demanding a ban on evictions without alternative housing.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged a Royal Decree-Law to freeze rents and halt evictions.

History

Historical Context

The 2008 burst of Spain’s housing bubble triggered a sharp fall in mortgage signings, reaching a low of 274,715 loans in 2012 – a 32.74% drop from the previous year. The Bank of Spain’s data and the activism of the Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipoteca spurred mass protests, a pattern echoed today as tenants oppose Urbagestión’s rent increase.

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Story summary

Investment fund Urbagestión evicted 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal from her Retiro apartment.
Urbagestión raised her rent from €500 to €2,650, then €1,650, exceeding her €1,350 pension.
On Wednesday, tens of thousands protested in Madrid and other cities, demanding a ban on evictions without alternative housing.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez pledged a Royal Decree-Law to freeze rents and halt evictions.

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