nc bc empty homes expropriation canary islands

NC-BC proposes seizing empty homes for affordable rent

Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.

NC-BC moves to mobilise empty homes amid housing emergency

Carmen Hernández, the Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista (NC-BC) MP, on Thursday set out plans to tackle one of the bitterest consequences of the housing emergency: mobilising empty homes owned by banks, vulture funds and large landlords through temporary expropriation so they can be used for affordable rent, along with a tax penalty on large landlords for acquiring further properties.

According to Nueva Canarias in a statement, the proposal comes in the wake of evictions such as the one scheduled for Friday in Granadilla de Abona involving a woman with terminal cancer, which has been suspended for the time being, and the eviction that took place on Wednesday in Madrid of an 87-year-old woman.

Hernández: we need to mobilise every available home in the islands

Carmen Hernández said: “We need to mobilise all available housing in the islands to give a rapid response to situations like that of the 54-year-old woman in the south of Tenerife, or Maricarmen, who are going to lose their homes while there are thousands of empty properties in the islands and large landlords who accumulate unused properties.”

The nationalist parliamentarian explained that the NC-BC Canary Islands Bill on Guaranteeing the Right to Protected and Affordable Housing (PPL) includes specific measures targeting large landlords, including vulture funds, financial institutions and property companies.

Fines of up to 90,000 euros and temporary expropriation

According to Hernández, a property left unjustifiably vacant could give rise to coercive fines of between 1,000 and 10,000 euros per home, repeatable until its effective occupation is proven, as well as administrative penalties of up to 90,000 euros in the event of repeated non-compliance.

In cases of persistent non-compliance, the proposal allows temporary expropriation for a period of between five and 10 years so that the properties can be allocated to affordable public renting.

The NC-BC MP added that the measure provides for financial compensation for owners and establishes as priority recipients people in situations of vulnerability, victims of eviction, women who are victims of gender-based violence, young people and families struggling to access housing.

New 20% tax rate on large landlords and bulk purchases

For large landlords, a new increased rate of 20 per cent is created for Property Transfer Tax. That same 20 per cent rate would apply when an entire residential building is sold to an individual or legal entity, even if they are not a large landlord, and to the transfer of a flat or apartment intended for holiday letting.

With this measure, NC-BC aims to penalise acquisitions made for speculative purposes.

Action before an eviction takes place

At the same time, the party seeks to act before an eviction occurs. To that end, it proposes that when a person in a situation of particular vulnerability faces eviction proceedings and has no other home, the public administration should activate mediation mechanisms with the property owner to address the debt and try to guarantee that they can remain in the home.

When keeping a family in their home is not possible, the administration should find a suitable housing alternative.

Hernández stated: “In the Canary Islands we have to do everything in our power to prevent a family from losing their home when alternatives exist. And when it cannot be avoided, nobody should face an eviction without a housing alternative.”

“Housing must serve people, not people serve speculation,” declared Carmen Hernández.

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