The price of luxury housing in Barcelona has remained stable during the coronavirus crisis, according to the report Impact of the pandemic in prime areas of Barcelona prepared by Fotocasa based on data from DataVenues.

The prices of rental housing do suffer more pronounced decreases than the sale price.

The study shows that, despite the fact that prime prices have had a drop at the end of 2020 in most towns, this drop has been smoother than in the conventional residential market of Barcelona, ​​thus showing greater resilience against the crisis.

On the contrary, the prices of rental housing have suffered more pronounced declines than the sale price. During the pandemic, the supply of this type of housing has increased exponentially, mainly due to the transfer from tourist accommodation to residential ones.

Legislative uncertainty in rent
The Rental Contract Income Updating Index (ARCA) continues its downward trend, although increasingly moderate, with the March figure standing at -1%.

"The economic situation we are going through is softening rents, however, the legislative uncertainty in the face of an imminent new rental law is slowing the pace", explains David Caraballo, Commercial Director of Safe Rental.

“In recent weeks, a lot of uncertainty has been generated among the owners with the possibility of the approval of a new law that puts a ceiling on prices, which is having an impact on the new contracts. Many owners are at the expense of seeing what happens, delaying operations and containing the offer ", continues the manager.

For Caraballo, «it is necessary to increase the supply of properties available for rent, if limitations are established, the opposite will be achieved. The market needs stability and certainty, which give the owners the necessary security to put their homes up for rent ”.