The rental problem in Spain has long been a multi-legged monster. The apparent imbalance between supply and demand in the housing rental market has brought to the front pages of the media what might have seemed like a malicious joke a few years ago. We are not just talking about rising prices or increasingly harsh measures by agents or landlords, but also situations such as asking for money to make an appointment. An advertisement in Badalona borders on the surreal.

House for rent (garden). The news takes us to Badalona (Catalonia). Apparently, an advertisement on the Habitaclia portal offers a house of just 12 square meters, rented for 600 euros per month. Although it may seem exaggerated, what is striking in this case is that we are not talking about a typical house, but in fact a house with a garden. The “offer” found by an X user has caused a stir and anger.

A unique “opportunity”. The advertisement describes the house as a single occupancy residence: “A single apartment located in the prestigious Mas Ram residential area, on the outskirts of Badalona.” The description of the house also places special emphasis on its privileged location: “It is a very quiet urbanization with 24-hour private security, a prestigious private school, a sports and social club with a restaurant and lots of green areas. “The property of Serralada de Marina,” it explains.

What users who come to the real estate portal can see in the photos is actually a wooden garden house, a small area managed by a sofa and a very simple kitchen and a bathroom with a shower.

Reactions. The promotion has caused a huge outrage among users since it was released on X. Many are criticizing the audacity of promoting a house with a garden in a wealthy area: “Living in a luxury accommodation and renting out a house with a garden is one of the most miserable things I have seen a human being do in a long time,” said one user.

Some reminded that such spaces were not prepared for daily life, while another said, “Thermal insulation for the cold months is neither available nor expected. What a shameful announcement.”

Average price per square metre. If we go to the real estate portal itself, we can get an idea of ​​how crazy the numbers are when it comes to housing rentals. In the case of Badalona, ​​since August 2023 the average price per square meter has increased from 15.10 euros to 18.52 euros, that is, over three euros per square meter in just one year.

Let’s say the house on offer is 12 square meters, that is, according to the portal, it should cost an average of 200 euros, while the “house with a garden” is rented for three times the average.

Amazing ads. The promotion is nothing more than a new addition to the tension and lack of control over housing in Spain. Before we go any further, last week we reported that apartments that were actually part of a retirement home were being rented in Almuñécar. Everything seems fine at the moment, and with rents in Spain being more expensive than ever, there are worrying figures that suggest the situation is about to get worse.

A breeding ground that seems to be more and more complicated to solve every day. It is becoming increasingly difficult to get past the landlord filter to rent an apartment, and the opportunities that arise create such overwhelming demand that prices rise to ridiculous figures, scams arise, or, as is the case in the case of renting a house with a garden (yes, yes) in a “prestigious area.”

Image | Twitter (@alexsnclmnt / Habitaclia)

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