Sanctions proceedings against large-scale property owners for not offering social rent up 509% 

Sanction proceedings against large-scale landlords for not offering social rent have grown 509% compared to last year. 

Since January 2023, a total of 353 proceedings have been initiated by the department of business and work, through the Catalan Consumer Agency.   

These figures are the result of a program that the department has promoted to guarantee the protection of people in a housing emergency.

"The final objective is not to sanction but to comply with the law," Roger Torrent, minister for business and employment, pointed out on Thursday morning after a follow-up meeting with the director of Consumer Agency, Albert Melià.

When sanction proceedings are opened, the property owners are given time to resolve the situation first, before being fined if they ultimately do not comply with the regulation. 

Since 2019, a total of 91 fines have been issued at an average value of around €30,000 each - a total of €2,250,000 in penalties.