More deductions for the rental of housing

More deductions for the rental of housing

The Government considers new incentives via IRPF to increase the offer, but for now only the IBI will be reduced to moderate rents

  The Government plans to raise tax deductions for the rental of housing, in this case via income tax (IRPF), but it would be "in the future". In the decree that the Council of Ministers foreseeably approves this Friday only reflects the possibility that the city councils set - under their power - a bonus of up to 80% in the real estate tax (IBI) for the houses that are leased as habitual residence of the tenant, and whose cost does not exceed the average rent of the area where it is located. A reduction that could reach 90% if that price is limited according to a legal rule.

  This will take into account the new state system of reference indices of the price of these rents - the Ministry of Development sees it as "fundamental" to improve "information and transparency", and a period of up to eight months is allowed to put it in marcha-, compatible with the statistics that already have several autonomous communities. The data will be taken from publicly registered contracts, although the changes will affect all agreements but will not be retroactive.

These modifications were included mostly in the decree approved on September 14, but rejected only 35 days later by Congress. Among them, that the contracts will last five years - seven if the owner is a company -, directly expandable for another three years. The novelty is that if nothing else is agreed between the parties, the rent updates would be made according to the annual CPI, specifically the latest inflation data before the corresponding agreement was signed.

Also, as an additional guarantee, the owner may only require two additional months of bail, but if it is a company, it would pay the real estate agent if it had mediated in the operation. At the time of waiving the automatic extension of the contracts that is established now, the owners will have half the time margin that the tenants: a minimum of four months for the notice of the first ones against two in the case of the second ones. .

Nothing to limit prices

But of direct limits to rental prices, "nothing at the moment" nor is it expected to change the situation in the medium term because of the "difficulty of legislating something like this," they point out from the department headed José Luis Ábalos. Therefore, from Podemos, the government is accused of being "a coward for not regulating", although they advance their probable positive vote in Congress - in their Permanent Deputation if the case should arise - because the decree "is an improvement". In PNV and PDeCAT, they are inclined to follow in their footsteps, but insist that the Executive be "more ambitious" in the fiscal incentives to expand the housing supply and moderate prices.

Regarding tourist housing, once the decree enters into force, it may be promoted outside the sectorial channels, a measure that seeks to increase the supply of houses for rent. However, neighboring communities will have the capacity to control and even limit their activity. In this way, by decision of a majority of at least three fifths may raise up to 20% their share of common expenses and fees and even, ultimately prohibit their lease in terms of the damage they may cause.