Barcelona long-term rentals are receiving a significant boost as property management firm Picas de la Rosa expands its portfolio to over 600 homes through a strategic acquisition.
The company has completed its first portfolio purchase, acquiring Ducat Finques for €50 million in a move that strengthens its position in Barcelona’s competitive rental market.
Barcelona Long-Term Rentals Strategy Expands
This acquisition brings 200 new properties under management, pushing the company’s total portfolio beyond 600 homes valued at over €350 million.
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Furthermore, all properties are located within Barcelona and its metropolitan area, focusing exclusively on stable, long-term rental arrangements. “We completely avoid holiday rentals, room rentals or temporary rentals,” explains CEO Alejandro Picas de la Rosa. “We’re very focused on stable, long-term rental, which generates more security for both owners and tenants.”
The company, founded in 2011 and based in Carrer Muntaner, specialises in professional property management for owners. Consequently, their services include personalised attention, tenant relations, economic administration and property maintenance. Currently, the manager pays more than €6 million annually in rents to its clients, with properties distributed across Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Boi, Sabadell, Rubí, Castelldefels and Sant Cugat.
The average rental price across their portfolio stands at €1,000 per property. This expansion comes as Catalonia considers increasing building density in new neighbourhoods to address housing challenges. Meanwhile, the company’s growth strategy marks a shift from purely organic expansion to strategic acquisitions.
“Choosing the first purchase wasn’t easy,” acknowledges the CEO. “Many didn’t fit, since we don’t manage neighbourhood communities or do traditional estate administration.” Their focus remains squarely on rental property management – maximising asset performance and profitability. They’re particularly targeting administrations needing generational succession or seeking more professionalised management models.
Looking ahead, the company aims to manage more than 3,000 homes within three years, all within Barcelona and surrounding areas. “There’s still room to grow and consolidate in the area,” asserts de la Rosa. Their management model distinguishes itself through personalised attention and close relationships. Indeed, they claim not to have lost a single client since foundation.
“In an environment full of mergers, large digital platforms and very impersonal models, humanising the service makes the difference,” highlights the CEO. Currently operating with a team of four people, they plan to expand as the portfolio grows. Additionally, next year they plan to open their first customer service office to maintain direct contact.
Despite Barcelona’s regulatory challenges, the company confirms strong ongoing demand. “Profitability may be lower than before, but it still exists,” states Alejandro. He illustrates this with a recent example where a flat in Les Corts received over 100 applications within an hour, forcing them to withdraw the offer. This demonstrates the intense competition for Barcelona long-term rentals in the current market.
The company’s client base concentrates on two main profiles: traditional owners who’ve held properties for decades and view them as safe-haven assets, and investors buying to rent. However, the latter are decreasing due to risks, regulation and more attractive alternative investments. “If we limit the entry of these investors, supply decreases in an already very tense market,” warns the executive director.
This expansion of Barcelona long-term rentals comes at a crucial time for the city’s housing market. The company’s commitment to stable rental arrangements provides much-needed consistency in a sector often dominated by short-term options. Therefore, their growth represents a significant development for both property owners and tenants seeking reliable housing solutions in the Catalan capital.
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