Officials in Madrid adopted several urgent decrees on Tuesday to address an escalating urban rental crisis. These measures introduce the automatic renewal of lease contracts and a proposal to prohibit the forced removal of tenants from their homes through the end of the decade. A government minister stated the legislation seeks to provide immediate stability for residents facing soaring costs and limited housing supply.

The policy shift follows the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87 year old who lived in her Madrid apartment for over 70 years. Abascal was carried from her home on a stretcher after developer Urbagestión demanded a 275% rent increase, pushing costs to as much as €2,650 per month, which far exceeded her €1,350 disability pension. The event sparked protests by tens of thousands of people in cities including Barcelona before a legal agreement allowed Abascal to return to her residence without the rent hike.