Over 211,400 homes are currently unoccupied in the Canary Islands, worsening a housing crisis exacerbated by high tourism pressure and landlords’ reluctance to rent. A recent report from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) indicates that one in five homes across the archipelago sits empty, raising concerns among residents.
Despite the ongoing housing emergency, regional authorities in the Canary Islands have only managed to mobilise one vacant property over the last decade, with no new public housing built in more than four years. The government’s attempt to limit home purchases by non-residents may not be sufficient to resolve this deep-rooted issue.
The classification of these empty homes by the INE, based on their electricity consumption, highlights that many are used sporadically or for seasonal rentals. Experts attribute the high vacancy rates to family disputes over inheritances, which leave properties stuck in limbo, and legal uncertainties that make landlords hesitant to rent out their properties.
María Elena Sánchez Jordán, a law professor at the University of La Laguna, suggests imposing compulsory sales or rentals to resolve ownership disputes, though this could face criticism for infringing on private property rights. She emphasises that declaring public interest and compensating homeowners would be necessary to comply with constitutional requirements.
Insecurity in the rental market often drives landlords to prefer maintaining empty homes rather than risking financial loss from delinquent tenants or property damage. One measure introduced by the Spanish government aims to address this concern through public guarantees to cover potential rental arrears, but there are limitations. Tenants must meet specific criteria, such as being under 35 or in a vulnerable situation, to qualify for these guarantees.
The Canary Islands’ housing market is heavily influenced by tourism, with some property owners waiting for prices to rise further before selling or converting their homes for holiday rentals. Although officials claim there are now 6,000 fewer vacation properties than last year, evidence suggests that several municipalities have more tourist bed spaces than residents. Experts indicate that many owners sought to register their properties before anticipated legal restrictions, artificially inflating license numbers.
The government has prioritised land for new public housing instead of addressing the existing vacant properties. Sánchez Jordán and other experts advise that utilizing these empty homes could alleviate the housing crisis. In tourist-heavy municipalities, such as Arona, which has 14,483 unoccupied properties, and the major capitals—Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas—vacancy rates are particularly high.
Both the Association of Property Consultants and the regional housing department recognise the need to bring these empty homes into the rental market, but action has been limited. The costs associated with living in the Canary Islands currently consume nearly 40% of residents’ incomes, transforming access to housing from a right into a privilege for those who can afford it.
