Barcelona City Council approved a motion on Friday 24 July urging the Spanish Government and the Generalitat, Catalonia's regional government, to introduce legal tools to limit commercial rent increases in areas hit by sustained rises.
The measure does not set a rent cap itself. It asks other administrations to change the legal framework, with the stated aim of helping small neighbourhood businesses remain in premises facing sharp rent pressure.
The proposal, presented by Raquel Gil, Barcelona's deputy mayor for economic promotion, was passed with votes from the governing PSC, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) and Barcelona en Comú. Junts, the PP and Vox voted against it.
City seeks changes to commercial tenancy law
Gil asked the council to call on the Spanish Government to amend the Urban Leases Act so that commercial rent increases can be moderated in zones "particularly affected by processes of sustained rent rises".
The request also seeks measures intended to protect local and distinctive businesses, according to reporting on the plenary session. Any eventual restriction would require action by the Spanish and Catalan governments.
"Governing is not only making announcements or displaying the logo of the European Capital of Local Commerce," ERC councillor Jordi Coronas said during the debate.
Supporters and opponents split over regulation
ERC and Barcelona en Comú backed the motion, while criticising the municipal government's approach. Junts argued that the Collboni administration should first have used its existing municipal powers.
The PP and Vox opposed the proposal. Daniel Sirera of the PP said that some local shops had been replaced by cannabis shops and 24-hour supermarkets which, he said, breach regulations.
Business association Barcelona Oberta also said it disagreed that regulation was the best solution. The approved motion now calls on the Spanish Government and Generalitat to provide the requested legal instruments.
Primary sources: Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona City Council. Reported by Source Text Link, Patricia Castán, elpais.com, naciodigital.cat, Gerard Pruna, barna.news, catalannews.com, Jordi Palmer, independent.cat, vilaweb.cat, beteve.cat, Pau Rodríguez, Ángela Poves, Toni Sust, El Periódico Barcelona.
