The regulation of seasonal rentals: A partial fix to a structural problem

Girona, December 19, 2025
Xevi Vila

The recent regulation of seasonal and room rental contracts in Catalonia was created with the stated intention of curbing certain practices that, according to the legislator, distorted the residential rental market. However, from a strictly real estate perspective, this new regulation raises relevant doubts about its real effectiveness and, above all, about the consequences it may have on the available supply.

One of the main objectives of the law is to prevent seasonal rentals from being used as a way to circumvent the price caps established in stressed areas. However, equating this type of contract with regular rentals, without adequately distinguishing their functions and demand profiles, may end up generating the opposite effect to that desired: a progressive withdrawal of homes from the rental market.

Many owners who until now opted for seasonal rentals—aimed at relocated professionals, international students, or families in transitional situations—may perceive this regulation as a loss of flexibility and legal certainty. In this context, the decision not to rent, to sell the property, or to allocate it to other uses is becoming increasingly common, further reducing an already clearly insufficient supply.

With regard to room rentals, limiting the total price of the home may hinder models that, when well managed, had contributed to expanding residential options in urban environments with very high demand. Price regulation, without measures that incentivize the incorporation of new homes into the market, tends to act only on the effects, but not on the causes of the problem.

The challenge of access to housing is profound and structural. It requires medium- and long-term policies aimed at increasing supply, facilitating the promotion of housing – including rental housing – reducing administrative obstacles, and generating confidence in both owners and investors. Without these elements, any price regulation runs the risk of being an incomplete solution.

From Espigul Real Estate Group, we consider an open, rigorous debate, far from simplistic approaches, to be essential. The real estate market needs stability, legal certainty, and a global vision that guarantees access to housing without compromising the viability of the market itself. Only in this way will it be possible to move towards a more balanced and sustainable model.