Barcelona is at the centre of a new Consumer Ministry investigation into alleged abusive rental commissions at a major property company. The probe comes after repeated complaints from tenants in Catalonia and across Spain about illegal charges linked to renting a home.
Tenants say the fees are often presented as agency or service charges, even when they are meant to be paid by the landlord. One renter, Salva, said he was told he would not get the flat unless he paid a commission. He also said the company tried to include the charge in the contract as a “real estate service provision to the tenant”.
Salva, who rented a flat with his partner for €1,500 a month, said he was also pressured to sign a document giving up his right to make a claim. He refused, describing it as “a terrible sacrifice” for him and his partner.
The ministry, led by Pablo Bustinduy, has stepped up action against these practices and has already issued major fines in other cases. One example is a €3.6 million penalty against Alquiler Seguro for similar alleged abuses.
Despite that, tenants such as Rufina say the problem continues. She said the investigations and fines are welcome, but “not enough” to stop the charges. Ministry officials say they will keep pursuing companies that break the rules, with the possibility of further multi-million euro fines.
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