Catalonia’s rent cap law under threat as Spanish government considers appeal

The Spanish government is considering an appeal against Catalonia’s rent cap law, promoted by housing rights activists as a much-needed step towards keeping ever-increasing rent prices at bay, on the basis that it is unconstitutional.

Passed by lawmakers in the Catalan parliament last September, the measure was subsequently taken to the Constitutional Court by the conservative People’s Party — however, an appeal by the Spanish cabinet would automatically put the law on hold until a ruling is issued.

Asked about the possibility of challenging the bill, Spain’s Territorial Policy minister, Miquel Iceta, said on Wednesday that he had the "political, moral, and legal obligation" to do so if he believed Catalonia had overstepped its regional powers.

The deadline to appeal the law ends on June 22, nine months after it came into force.