Barcelona’s hard-left en Comú (BComú) party has a new message for real estate investors holding multiple flats in the city: prepare to pay more.
In an increasingly strained relationship with the municipal government led by Mayor Jaume Collboni, BComú has unveiled one of its flagship policy proposals for the next two years—a progressive increase of the property tax (IBI) for landlords who own more than one home.
The party argues that the flat-rate IBI currently in place contributes to speculation and housing inequality. Their proposal seeks not only to create a more equitable tax structure but also to discourage the accumulation of housing stock by a small number of large holders.
A progressive model based on number of properties
As things stand, the IBI in Barcelona sits at a uniform 0.66% across the board, regardless of how many properties one owns. Under BComú’s proposal, this would change dramatically:
- First home: Reduced IBI rate
- Second home: +15%
- Third home: +25%
- Fourth and above: +30%
Janet Sanz, president of the BComú group in the city council, argues that these changes follow international examples in cities like Vienna and Singapore: “Only market regulation will curb speculation,” she claims.
According to Sanz, roughly 10% of homes in Barcelona are owned by large landlords, totalling around 70,000 properties. “Meanwhile, 60% of property sales are settled in cash. That is not normal,” she adds.
Structural ambitions beyond slogans
BComú remains committed to what it calls structural reforms to tackle housing access in the city—notably, policies that directly impact the existing housing stock. As Sanz puts it, “This belief that supply alone will solve the crisis—what we call ‘offertismo’—is to housing what climate denialism is to environmental policy.”
Their focus is on bold, high-impact measures like:
- Taxing corporate landlords
- Expanding rent caps
- Preventing public funds from supporting property fairs and developer lobbying
Indeed, BComú highlights its recent success in blocking a €250,000 municipal subsidy to the real estate expo The District—and vows to do the same for the €5 million that the city plans to invest into bringing Formula 1 to the city’s iconic streets.
Political future—and a possible return for Sanz?
Despite current frictions with the governing PSC, BComú hasn’t ruled out future collaboration—if it serves the housing agenda. However, they won’t entertain “minor deals” if Collboni continues to align with centre-right forces to weaken existing protections.
As for the movement’s own future, Sanz confirmed that BComú will hold a congress in July to “refound and strengthen” the organisation, with internal debates on strategy for the 2027 municipal elections starting in September.
Sanz did not rule out standing as candidate once again—though she notes the party’s code of ethics is being reviewed. Meanwhile, Ada Colau, now heading the Sentit Comú foundation, “has an important international role” but is said to be staying out of day-to-day decisions within the municipal group.
Verdict: more taxes, more control, more confrontation
BComú’s IBI proposal is not just about fiscal justice—it’s a marker of ideological territory in the urban battleground of Barcelona. With escalating rents, ownership concentration, and rising voter frustration, the party clearly sees political value in drawing sharp distinctions between speculators and residents.
Whether or not PSC joins them at the negotiating table, one thing is clear: in Barcelona, the housing debate is far from settled—and BComú plans to keep swinging.
