The State seeks to raise the income tax assessment for empty homes in high-demand areas. The cadastral value will be the basis for the calculation, with large property owners being the most affected.
According to information published by agencia6.com, the Government is preparing a change in the Income Tax for Individuals (IRPF) to increase the income assessment for empty homes located in high-demand areas, that is, municipalities where the demand for housing far exceeds the supply.
Currently, property owners are taxed on this assessment, calculated based on the cadastral value of the property. The novelty is that the percentage would increase in these areas, making it increasingly expensive to keep a house empty without a valid justification.
The cadastral value is determined by the General Directorate of the Cadastre, taking into account the location, size, use, and age of the property. In numerous municipalities, it has been recently updated, bringing the basis for the increase closer to the real market price.
According to the text, the measure would mainly affect three profiles. Large property owners, individuals or legal entities with more than five properties in high-demand areas, are the most exposed group. Property owners who have inherited homes and keep them empty for administrative or family reasons, as well as real estate investors who buy to appreciate without the intention of renting in the short term, will also be affected.
The initiative divides economists, legal experts, and the real estate sector. Supporters argue that housing is a constitutional right and that the State can regulate property use when it affects the public interest. Critics warn that penalising empty homes could deter investment and create legal insecurity, without addressing the lack of buildable land or the obstacles to construction.
Other European countries have implemented similar taxation with mixed results. According to its proponents, the measure should be combined with public construction, incentives for affordable renting, and greater transparency in the market. The text does not specify the final assessment percentage or the implementation date, so property owners will have to wait for the final regulation.
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