Home sales in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and the Baix Llobregat region fell by 8.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the final quarter of 2025, ending an eight-quarter streak of growth. A total of 3,091 property transactions were recorded between January and March 2026, the lowest level since early 2024 and close to typical summer lows, the Fòrum Empresarial del Llobregat reported.

This decline follows broader trends in Spain’s housing market, which saw a 2.6% drop in nationwide sales between January and March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, with 178,473 transactions recorded. The regional downturn is attributed to high housing prices driven by supply shortages, European Central Bank interest rates (now at 2.4% after peaking at 4.5% in 2023), and tighter lending conditions.

Only six of the 31 municipalities studied saw increased sales: Sant Joan Despí (+39), Sant Just Desvern (+9), Sant Feliu (+7), Sant Vicenç dels Horts (+4), Castellví de Rosanes (+4), and Abrera (+2). The largest declines were in L'Hospitalet (-212), Esplugues (-191), Viladecans (-111), and Cornellà (-91).

Nationwide, home sales picked up in June 2026 with 59,288 transactions, a 1.6% rise from June 2025 and the highest June figure since 2007, according to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics (INE). This reversed five months of annual declines and brought the first-half total to 347,464 sales, though still 2.6% below the same period in 2025.

Rental Market Stabilises Amid Affordability Pressures

In Greater Barcelona, covering Baix Llobregat, Barcelonès, Maresme, Vallès Occidental, and Vallès Oriental, the average monthly rent was €1,004.52 in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Institut Català del Sòl (Incasòl). Rent caps introduced in early 2024 in stressed areas have helped stabilise prices.

Housing rights groups are calling for a downward revision of the rent reference index and stricter enforcement to prevent landlords from bypassing regulations.

Despite price containment, overcrowding is rising. Data show increasing numbers of households with 10 or more registered residents, particularly in Barcelona and L'Hospitalet. Vacant commercial units are also being converted into substandard housing, often failing basic habitability standards.

Primary sources: govern.cat. Reported by elperiodico.com, metropoliabierta.cat, theolivepress.es, ine.es, El Llobregat, El Periódico Barcelona.