'We are a textbook example of what's happening in the city': Casa Orsola residents up for eviction

Josep Torrent is the first Casa Orsola inhabitant due to be evicted. Sued by the investment fund which bought Casa Orsola in 2021 for staying in his flat beyond the termination of his lease, he faces eviction on January 31. 

Torrent has lived in the building for 24 years and was the first of the five defendants to go to trial. 

The Tenants' Union has been organizing a "marathon" of actions since last week to prevent the eviction of the Eixample building, culminating with a demonstration this Friday. 

Torrent says he is "nervous, tired, and very grateful for the support received." 

“Many coworkers, neighbors, union friends, and family members have offered me a room in their homes. In theory, I’m not going to sleep on the street,” he told the Catalan News Agency. 

Shortly after Lioness Inversiones bought the 27-flat building, they refused to renew the leases of the residents, as replacing the regular contracts with seasonal ones (with a maximum stay of 11 months) allowed them to increase the rent prices.  

Residents organized themselves with the Tenants' Union to fight and enter negotiations with the investment fund.  

Despite the company’s refusal, Josep Torrent has continued to make monthly payments after the end of his contract. 

While some tenants left after receiving the notice, others like Torrent decided to stay. 

According to the Tenants' Union, in addition to the five defendants in the trial, eight tenants with old contracts are still in the building, and six with regular ones.  

"The residents know that if the owners had a button to terminate their contracts, it would have been the first thing they would have done,” Josep Torrent said. 

Neighbors with regular leases complain that seasonal contracts triple the price, and that the property is now asking for “up to €2,700 per month.” 

The apartments of the seven families that have left were converted into short-term rentals at much higher prices, since they are not subject to rent control laws. 

"We are a textbook example of what is happening in this city and the metropolitan area, where investment funds buy entire properties and empty them of residents," Torrent said. 

"Not an isolated case" 

For Torrent, the seasonal rentals are a "calculated loophole" in the regulations, calling for measures to limit and regulate them to prevent speculative purchases. 

Casa Orsola residents have warned that their case is not "isolated" and have received societal support. 

During the Gaudí Film Awards ceremony, several actors voiced their support for the protests in their acceptance speeches.  

The building has become a symbol of Barcelona's housing crisis.  

Josep Torrent said he received messages from people in similar situations. With a few months left on their contracts, "they are already being pressured." 

To him, the spotlight on Casa Orsola in the media highlights that "housing is a predominant problem affecting many people."  

"I understand that the City Council cannot buy all the buildings," Torrent said, "but they are measures" they could take. 

Barcelona city council urges the investment fund to engage in dialogue and say they are working to keep evictions in the city to a minimum.