Barcelona’s housing tensions have escalated once more as tenants of a residential block in Poble-sec accused their landlord of trying to expel them to capitalise on speculation. Residents of the building at number 41, Carrer Concòrdia, allege that the property owner, Urbe Enginova, is seeking to clear the apartments for greater profit rather than renew leases.
At a press conference outside the building on Wednesday, neighbours expressed anger at the lack of dialogue. They called for a collective negotiation table to secure their right to remain in their homes. Of the 14 flats in the block, two currently have no active contract and one has already received a legal demand for eviction.
The tenants are supported by the Sindicat de Llogateres, whose spokesperson, Carme Arcarazo, warned that the case reflects a wider crisis. She highlighted that around 119,000 rental contracts in Catalonia are due to expire in 2026, placing thousands of families at risk. Arcarazo described 2025 as a ‘crucial year’ for renters, stressing the need for urgent policy intervention to prevent widespread displacement.
Barcelona faces mounting pressure over housing, with affordability and evictions ranked by residents as the city’s foremost social problem. Campaigners argue that speculative practices are eroding community stability and displacing long-standing neighbourhoods, particularly in central districts like Poble-sec.
The dispute at Carrer Concòrdia epitomises the deepening housing conflict in Barcelona, where landlords and tenants remain locked in battles over affordability and security. For many campaigners, the case signals the urgency of stronger protections to prevent speculation from hollowing out the city’s communities.
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