Junts questions the draft housing decree for not including its fiscal and 'anti-occupation' measures

Junts has rejected the draft housing decree, citing its failure to incorporate fiscal measures and anti-okupa policies they had previously advocated. The political party, which holds key votes in the Spanish parliament, stated that unless these proposals are included, they will not support the legislation. This comes after similar criticisms from Podemos and the PNV over other aspects of the decree, which was negotiated between the PSOE and Sumar. The draft, released this Wednesday, did not include Junts' proposed tax deductions for tenants and homeowners with mortgages, nor did it address illegal occupation, known as 'okupas' in Spain. These measures were among several long-standing demands from Junts, who argue that current interventions have failed to resolve housing issues effectively. Instead, the new text offers limited benefits, such as tax breaks for young tenants aged 18 to 35 and small property owners, a move that Junts claims falls short of their expectations. Among the contentious points is the modification of Article 441,6 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which allows for the suspension of evictions when alternative housing is unavailable. Junts criticizes this provision, suggesting it perpetuates illegal occupations. The decree also mandates that regional governments cover unpaid rents, utilities, and damages during eviction suspensions, though this applies only to non-large landowners. The upcoming vote on the decree lacks sufficient support, with traditional opposition parties like the PP and Vox continuing to reject it. Podemos has criticized the inclusion of changes to the Land Law, while the PNV has requested that rental extensions beyond 2028 apply only to tenants up-to-date with payments. This extension was a key victory for Sumar, following the previous rejection of an extraordinary rental contract extension in April. One of the main goals of the new decree is to tackle fraudulent short-term rentals and room-sharing arrangements, which often bypass legal protections despite being classified as housing. The law requires justification for temporary housing and limits contracts to 12 months. It also restricts the total monthly rent for room-sharing to not exceed the price of the entire property. In recent weeks, the government and Sumar expressed optimism that the revised draft might meet some of Junts' demands, particularly regarding tenant and homeowner tax relief. However, this hope has been dashed, as the fiscal changes remain narrowly focused on young tenants and landlords offering affordable rentals to youth. The decree also includes provisions for changes in fiscal treatment for real estate investment funds (socimis) and expects regional governments to assist smaller landlords. Despite these elements, Junts maintains that the draft does not fully align with their vision for addressing housing challenges through both fiscal incentives and stronger enforcement against illegal occupations. As the legislative process moves forward, the debate over housing policy continues to reflect broader tensions within Spain’s political landscape.