Barcelona rents would be significantly higher without the current price cap, according to a new report from the Barcelona Metropolitan Housing Observatory (O-HB). The study says average monthly rents could be between €157 and €268 more expensive than they are now.
The O-HB says the current average rent in Barcelona is €1,161 a month. Without regulation, it estimates that figure would rise to between €1,318 and €1,429 a month. That would put average new rental prices above Spain's minimum interprofessional wage of €1,221 a month.
The analysis looks at two rent-rise scenarios based on recent years' trends, one more moderate and one more aggressive. In both cases, the report points to a clear rise in housing costs if the cap were removed.
The findings underline the effect of rental price controls on affordability in Barcelona, and add data to the wider housing debate across Catalonia. The O-HB says the report is intended to show the protective effect of the current rules.
For readers following housing policy in Catalonia, this report adds to the ongoing discussion about how to balance market pressures with access to affordable homes. See more coverage on our news page.