In Spain, the majority of individuals over 65 own their homes, according to the 2024 Living Conditions Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

Approximately 88.6% of this demographic resides in owned properties, with 82.3% fully paying off their mortgages.

This ownership significantly shields older adults from economic vulnerability, securing them against eviction risks and providing assets for unforeseen expenses.

However, for the small percentage of pensioners who are renters—estimated at 5.2% in private market rentals and 2.3% in protected or old rent properties—the situation is markedly dire.

Experts in economics, demographics, and sociology are expressing concern about the potential crisis facing retiring renters, especially as pension benefits remain uncertain.

With a precarious financial outlook, many seniors are at risk if their rental contracts are not renewed.

The ongoing trend of favoring higher-earning tenants, particularly immigrants and single women, raises additional barriers for older renters.

In Barcelona, which has the highest rental proportion in Spain—with 38% of its residents being tenants—instances of this issue are surfacing in less affluent neighborhoods as well as in the more upscale Eixample district.

In these areas, property owners have been acquiring buildings, often opting not to renew tenant contracts and instead converting units for short-term tourist rentals.

Marta (name changed for anonymity), a 70-year-old resident of Nou Barris, pays €427 monthly in rent from her €700 pension, supplemented by regional assistance.

Having recently faced the expiration of her rental agreement, she is currently in a legal standoff with her landlord, who seeks to reclaim the apartment.

Marta expressed frustration about the rental market, noting a scarcity of affordable housing options.

The criteria enforced by real estate agencies, which often require higher income levels and exclude pet owners, compound her difficulties.

"If many seniors find themselves in the same situation as me, we will all face eviction," she stated, reflecting a sentiment prevalent among vulnerable tenants.

In the Eixample district, Mercè and her husband, who have been renting for 20 years, find themselves anxious about their impending contract renewal despite being longtime tenants of a property historically managed by a supportive family landlord.

They currently pay €1,200 per month but struggle to find affordable alternatives that meet their needs, as demand for rentals has pivoted towards short-term leases catering to tourists.

"We are competing against couples from abroad with higher incomes and properties that are not residential," Mercè lamented.

A report released by the Metropolis Institute of Barcelona highlighted the residential challenges faced by older adults in the city.

The study, led by sociologist Sergio Porcel, warned that the protective buffer of home ownership among the elderly is expected to diminish over the next few decades.

Currently, seniors aged 65 and older predominantly own their homes (75%); however, projections indicate that less than 40% of future retirees will be homeowners.

This paradigm shift may result in a significant increase in residential insecurity and housing costs, amplifying the economic struggles of older renters, especially among those migrating into retirement.

Juan Antonio Módenes, a geographer and researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, has corroborated these findings, indicating an alarming trend towards worsening rental conditions and financial strain on retirees as pension funding becomes increasingly precarious.

His work with the Metropolitan Housing Observatory foresaw that the percentage of older adults residing in owned properties will decline from 81% to 69% over the next two decades, potentially leading to nearly 400,000 individuals living in unstable conditions.

Recent data from the 2023 Family Budget Survey revealed that one-third of renters, amounting to approximately 1.1 million individuals, have reference earners over 50 years of age.

The sustainability of their housing situation is under threat as they transition into retirement, not only due to declining income but also rising rents.

Experts have warned of a critical demand shock in the housing market, particularly affecting the older demographic, as ongoing inflationary pressures on rent persist.

Cáritas Barcelona’s legal advisor, Sònia Lacalle, emphasized the severity of the challenges faced by renters, noting that the organization is now frequently assisting individuals residing in shared accommodations.

She highlighted a shift in assistance from helping with rental deposits to providing resources for those unable to secure private accommodations altogether.

The ongoing rental crisis signifies a broader societal issue, where long-term tenants, even those with stable incomes, are increasingly denied renewals for their homes in favor of higher-paying tenants, contributing to the vulnerabilities facing the elderly in today’s housing market.