Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has launched formal proceedings against property management and rental agency Alquiler Seguro for allegedly charging unlawful fees to tenants—practices that could result in a fine of up to €1 million.
At the heart of the investigation are complaints from consumer watchdogs like FACUA, which claim the agency charged tenants for services—including property management and contract preparation fees—that, under the new Housing Law, must be borne exclusively by landlords.
Unlawful charges flagged
The probe was sparked by the case of a tenant in Madrid, who was reportedly required to pay the equivalent of one month’s rent, plus 21% VAT, as a commission to Alquiler Seguro. Such fees, according to amendments introduced in Spain’s housing law in 2023, are considered illegal when passed on to tenants.
If found guilty of infringing consumer protection regulations, Alquiler Seguro could face sanctions ranging from €100,000 to €1 million, depending on the severity and scope of the violations uncovered.
Rise in questionable practices
Consumer groups say this case is not isolated. FACUA claims it has documented a growing number of similar complaints in recent months, particularly as Spain continues to grapple with a worsening housing shortage. The imbalance between supply and demand in rental housing has left many tenants in financially precarious positions—conditions that make them more vulnerable to abuse or scams.
Despite apparently halting the disputed practice, the volume of reported infractions has prompted the ministry to take action and open the sanctioning file.
Alquiler Seguro responds
In a statement issued following news of the probe, Alquiler Seguro maintained it complies “strictly” with Spanish legislation and asserted that its services are “audited, voluntary, and publicly accessible”. The company also stated it adheres to the law’s requirement that landlords—not tenants—bear the costs related to rental contract formalisation and management.
Alquiler Seguro added that it is “fully willing to cooperate with the ministry” throughout the investigation.
What’s next?
The case now moves into the official sanctioning phase, during which the ministry will gather further evidence and determine whether legal breaches occurred. If confirmed, Alquiler Seguro would become one of the first high-profile real estate agencies sanctioned under Spain’s updated housing legislation.
As Spain’s rental market gets tighter, tenant protections are expected to remain a high-priority focus for the government—and scrutiny of agents and landlords is unlikely to ease.
