The phenomenon of renting rooms, normally associated with students and young workers, has been consolidated in recent years as one of the most lucrative formulas for owners and investors in Madrid.
According to Idealista data, Madrid is the second city with the most expensive room rentals in Spain, standing at 565 euros on averagefollowed by Barcelona. A figure that was unthinkable just a decade ago and that has provoked an intense debate about access to housing and speculation.
You may be interested
Two neighbors open a door to the community patio without permission and place their washing machine and flower pots: justice forces them to close it for invading the common areas
A woman sentenced to pay 22,993 euros to the daughter of her deceased partner, the only heir: she took the furniture, souvenirs and dismantled the entire house
Defends its model and justifies high prices
Ramón Serrano, one of the new players in this market, owns about 60 rooms spread over several apartments in Madrid, and defends his model by ensuring that it offers “better quality than most”, thus justifying the high prices due to the location and condition of the properties. “In Getafe, the rooms are between 400 euros, which are literally a mattress with a pillow, and 650. It doesn’t seem moral to me,” he explains in statements to the program ‘Y Ahora Sonsoles’, reported by ‘El Español’,
The businessman assures that his priority is to offer security and guarantees, both to the owners of the homes he manages, and to the tenants. “I offer security to both parties. I give the tenant the guarantee of not ‘mistreating’ him,” he says, referring to his commitment to maintaining decent conditions. Under this model, it recognizes that it currently has 60 rooms on the market with prices ranging between 400 and 800 euros per month.
Regarding the requirements to access their rooms, he points out that they are not excessively restrictive and assures that “the perfect tenant is the one who does not cause problems, can pay and is responsible. The most we ask for is the employment contract.” Furthermore, Serrano insists that his business responds to a real demand, since “If someone accepts the price, in theory it is because they can pay it”he states, ensuring that the problem comes when “the tenant does not pay it.”
Buy homes to rent in Madrid
However, this approach has provoked criticism on social networks and among social organizations, which warn about the risk of dehumanization of the real estate market, since the proliferation of room rentals contributes to inflating prices and makes access to housing difficult for the most vulnerable groups.
The regulations on renting rooms in Madrid are complex and vary depending on the duration of the contract. Serrano, in his case, ensures compliance with the legal requirements. “The rooms that I rent have cleaning service. If you rent for less than 30 days, a license is required. Between 30 days and 11 months is half a season; on top of that, if it is indicated that the person resides in the apartment, it is considered a habitual residence and a license is not required,” he details.
Thus, Serrano insists that his model works, since as long as housing prices continue to rise and supply remains insufficient, room rental will continue to be the only alternative for many citizens. As the businessman himself recognizes: “If people can’t afford an apartment, they can afford a room. Thus, their ability to save is better,” he concludes.