Tenants' Unions Propose 'Maricarmen Decree' to Combat Speculative Renting

• The Confederation of Tenants' Unions has presented a legislative proposal dubbed the 'Maricarmen Decree' to the Spanish government to tackle housing speculation.
• The proposal demands systemic changes including automatic rental contract renewals and mandatory compensation for tenants if landlords refuse to renew, mirroring labor contract protections.
• The movement follows the recent eviction of a tenant named Maricarmen, which served as a catalyst for renewed protests against current housing policies.

Key Proposals

• Automatic Contract Renewal: Making renewals standard to ensure stability, with clear documentation and financial penalties if landlords terminate agreements.
• Regulatory Reform: Closing loopholes in seasonal and room-by-room rentals to prevent fraud and rising costs.
• Immediate Protections: Implementing effective extensions for existing contracts and price freezes to align with stagnant wage growth.

International Solidarity

• 'El Barrio' Summit: An international gathering of 70 housing rights organizations from 24 countries aimed at countering corporate landlords like Blackstone, Brookfield, and Azora.
• Lessons from Berlin: Tobias Gralke highlighted the success of the 'Deutsche Wohnen & Co. Enteignen' campaign, which won a referendum to socialize 240,000 homes held by large property firms.
• Call to Action: The coalition is organizing a demonstration from Puerta del Sol to the Congress of Deputies, demanding that political leaders move beyond cosmetic measures toward structural, long-term housing solutions.