Almost 1,115 apartments in Castelldefels were identified as potentially vacant at the start of 2026, according to a municipal study reported by La Ciutat. Of these, 634 were deemed immediately available for the affordable rental market. Yet nearly 11 months later, no action has been taken by the Castelldefels City Council or the Generalitat to bring them into use, the Tenants' Union has denounced.
Enric Aragonès, union spokesperson, stated: "Knowing that there are almost 700 empty apartments that can be mobilized and doing nothing is an absolute political responsibility." The union highlighted that Castelldefels has one of the few "official and rigorous" vacant housing censuses in Catalonia, made possible by prior union pressure, but called it ineffective without follow-through.
Josép Antoni Jiménez, a local union member, told La Ciutat only 19 properties owned by large landlords had been inspected since the census, with just three confirmed vacant. He criticised a 4.6% IBI tax reduction for 2027, arguing it rewards owners who leave properties unoccupied.
Call for Generalitat to Step In
"The Generalitat has the tools to act ex officio and must do so where councils fail,"
said Aragonès. He noted the law allows for coercive measures, including fines up to €900,000, in areas with housing pressure like Castelldefels. The union formally urged the Generalitat to mobilise these homes across Catalonia where local inaction persists.
Residents seeking updates on housing policy can monitor the Generalitat’s Department of Housing portal for enforcement actions or proposed legislation on vacant properties.
Sources: La Ciutat.
