António Costa confirmed this Wednesday that the government will put a new brake on the increase in rents next year, but does not reveal what values are involved.
“There are measures that are included in the Mais Habitação program. Some diplomas have already been approved, others have not. Last year we put a brake on rental prices and at the moment the government is evaluating the situation, to look for the value as close as possible to what is laid down in law. We will calculate the value as close as possible to the capabilities of the families, but with the concern to know that in the future this value will converge with the real value”, said the Prime Minister, on the sidelines of the welcoming ceremony for students of the University of Porto, which took place in Jardim da Cordoaria.
The government leader wants a ‘balanced solution’ that does not prevent owners from putting their homes on the rental market, but also does not create ‘situations of social disruption’.
Costa says that before the decision is announced, tenants’ and owners’ associations will be consulted.
Data from INE shows that the rent increase next year will be around 7% if the government does not apply the brakes again. The INE estimate takes into account the average variation over the past twelve months in the Consumer Price Index (IPC) excluding homes, a reference for updating rental prices next year.
This year, the board set a 2% limit for updating rents.
If the government did not decide to put on the brakes, the increase in rental values in 2024 would be the highest in the past thirty years.
Costa also stressed that the “biggest barrier for students in higher education remains housing”, but said the National Student Housing Plan was adopted in 2019, which entails a “huge investment, like never before”.
Source: DN
