Cantabria Landlord-Tenant Laws: RENT INCREASES

Rent increases in Cantabria have undergone significant changes following the implementation of the Ley 12/2023, de 24 de mayo, por el derecho a la vivienda. While the Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU) remains the foundation for contract law, the new national housing legislation has introduced caps and new reference indices to protect tenants from inflationary pressures.

Annual Rent Adjustment Rules

Traditionally, rent adjustments in Spain were tied directly to the Consumer Price Index (IPC). However, the current regulatory environment in Cantabria (and the rest of Spain) requires landlords to follow the transitory caps set by the national government:

• For 2024: The annual rent increase cannot exceed 3%, regardless of whether the landlord is a large holder (grande tenedor) or a small landlord, unless a different, lower amount is agreed upon by the parties.
• After 2024: A new reference index is expected to be implemented, specifically designed for residential leases, which will decouple rent from general inflation.

Mandatory Notice and Formalities

For a rent increase to be valid, it must be performed on the anniversary of the contract. The landlord is required to notify the tenant in writing (preferably via a verifiable method like a burofax) at least one month (30 days) before the date the new rent is to take effect. If the notice is not served correctly, the tenant is only obligated to continue paying the current rent amount.

Stressed Market Areas (Zonas Tensionadas)

Under the Ley de Vivienda, the Government of Cantabria has the power to designate specific municipalities or neighborhoods as "Stressed Market Areas." In these areas, stricter rent controls may apply, especially for "large holders" or for new contracts on properties that have not been rented in the last five years. As of early 2024, landlords in Cantabria should monitor the official regional gazette (Boletín Oficial de Cantabria - BOC) for these designations.

Exceptions for Property Improvement

Under Article 19 of the LAU, a landlord who performs improvement works on the property (not just maintenance) may be entitled to increase the rent by a higher percentage after the mandatory 5 or 7-year extension period has passed, subject to certain conditions and calculation formulas defined in the law.