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THE MUSEUM HOMES OF SPAIN
Meet the Ronda residents who transform celebrities homes LICENCE
See page 24
Delve inside to see the abodes of Spain’s greatest artists
Beating the high press
A SPANISH football team has come to the rescue of a grandmother who was facing being booted from her home of six decades to make way for a tourist apartment.
The plan to evict Maria Muñoz, 88, from her Cadiz house sparked outrage, with the pensioner given a cruel ultimatum: she could either leave or buy it for €147,000, which she simply
By Simon Hunter
couldn’t afford. Fortunately, residents’ platforms came to her aid and when the city’s Cadiz CF football team heard about her plight they jumped in to help. The team’s foundation has now bought the property and drawn up an indefinite rental agreement so that she can stay as long as she likes. The Fundacion de Cadiz will charge Muñoz her previous rent
of just €92 a month. The octogenarian has occupied the apartment since 1967, back when it was rented out by rooms. She lived there with her husband Antonio, and had her three children there.
In the 1990s, the property was refurbished, but she and her husband continued to pay what is known in Spain as renta antigua, or ‘old rent’, a small peppercorn sum not updated in line with inflation.
It was when her husband died in 2016 that her problems began. Legally, she was required to transfer the contract over to her name, which she failed to
do, unaware of the rule. A new contract was then signed, with the €97 monthly rent. But there was a time limit to the contract, and in recent years the owners began to sell the other apartments. Meanwhile, most of the neighbouring apartments were turned into tourist rentals, with Maria’s landlords planning to do the same.
SWEET SPOT
All the signs so far this year point towards a steady performance from the Spanish housing market in 2024, though housing access in hot markets is a sore point
ASTEADY performance with gently rising sales and prices is the sweet spot that all housing markets long for.
It generates confidence amongst buyers, investors, builders and lenders without triggering a speculative boom that can end in tears.
So far this year all the signs suggest that the Spanish housing market is enjoying such a sweet spot after the boom and subsequent soft landing that followed in the wake of the pandemic.
Sales were up 1.8% year-on-
year nationally in the first quarter, according to Housing Ministry figures, and the latest numbers from the notaries’ association suggests that growth has continued in the second quarter.
Compared to other European countries, property sales are doing well in Spain, and are likely to increase the confidence of international investors.
Spain is one of the minority of European countries where home sales increased year-on-year, according to Eurostat (based on countries for which data is available), and transaction numbers
compare favourably to competitor countries like Portugal (-3.4%) and France (-21.6%).
House prices are also sending the right signal to inspire local and international confidence in the Spanish housing market.
Once again, Spanish house prices rose 6.4% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, whilst the EU average increase was just 1.3%, and the Eurozone average was -0.4%.
Spanish real estate looks like a
particularly good investment at the moment when compared to the 4.8% decline in France, and 5.7% drop in Germany.
A report on the housing markets of the coasts and islands recently published by the appraisal company Tinsa paints a picture of a steady increase in holiday-home prices.
They are up 3.9% over twelve months to the end of March, despite a fall in overall demand somewhat mitigated by an increase in the number of buyers coming from abroad.
Looking forward, the recent decline in interest rates is expected to be good for home sales, with 12-month Euribor declining in the last three months in annualised terms after a run of 12 consecutive monthly increases.
Nobody expects base rates to rise anytime soon, and mortgage foreclosures are at record low levels, which suggests there is little distress in the market. All good news.
House prices are inspiring local and international confidence
One of the report’s conclusions is that there are no widespread signs of overheating in the coastal market, except for some specific locations in the Balearics.
Similarly, no price corrections are expected for second residences; if any occur, they are expected to be minor and insignificant. Those are all good signs.
However, there is one black spot in the Spanish housing market, namely the lack of affordable housing in hot markets where most people want to live.
Politically this is now a hot potato and the government keeps introducing rules and regulations that make the situation worse.
Other countries like the UK face a similar problem but it does mean that housing is becoming an increasingly political issue, which is not a good sign.
Pink
OF Spain’s multitude of gay-friendly cities, the cheapest to buy in is Cadiz, with the average price of property for sale in May being €2,825/m2, according to Idealista.
But bargain hunters may want to move quickly - this has risen 8.8% in a year.
Second on the list is Torremolinos at €3,081, followed by Sitges with an average price of €4,594/m2. On the other end of the LGBQT scale, look no further than Madrid, where property costs around €4,473/m2.
New builds needed
MALAGA province needs to build 3,425 social housing units a year over the next two decades in order to solve the affordable housing crisis.
It translates to 68,500 homes in total, with an annual investment of €124 millions – of which 54% should come from the taxpayer. It is the finding of a report commissioned by the Malaga builders and developers association. Celso Gomez, who oversaw the report, described the current level of public investment in affordable housing as ‘ridiculous and inefficient.’
According to Gomez, renters in Malaga spend an eye-watering 66.8% of their income on rent.
Live like a Duchess
WANT a taste of living like a Duchess? Now you have the chance - but it will cost you €35,000 a month.
The children of the late Duquesa de Alba - or Cayetana Fitz-James Stuart y Silva - have put up their exclusive Marbella mansion to rent, Villa Las Cañas
The spectacular Villa Las Canas sits on the Golden Mile on Casablanca beach.
It was one of the late-duchess’ favourite homes and she spent many summer holidays there with her first husband, Luis Martinez de Irujo, with whom she had six children.
It is currently owned by son Fernando, the Marquis of San Vicente del Barco, who inherited it.
PLATFORM: Housing minister Isabel Rodriguez
Crackdown looms
THE government is set to introduce two new rules to crack down on short term property rentals.
The first will see landlords having to justify why they are only offering short contracts.
According to the Minister for Housing, Isabel Rodriguez, this ‘justification’ is necessary to avoid fraud and help seasonal workers and students.
A new state platform is also being considered to advertise short term rentals.
Each will be given a unique code in order to track and control rentals.
The measures were presented by Rodriguez following a meeting with Spain’s working group on short term rentals.
The group, made up of estate agents and unions, was established to find a solution to landlords who abuse short term contracts, as well as the issue of tourist lets.
Rodriguez is hoping to modify the ‘Horizontal Property law’ so that neighbours have to give the green light before tourist lets can be set up.
“We simply can’t look the other way,” she said.
HOME property purchases in Spain went up by 3% in May compared to a year earlier with prices rising by 1.3%. Despite high interest rates, the country’s notaries said there was an increase of almost 10% in the number of new mortgages granted.
The figures show the continuance of the upturn recorded in April which was a busy month due to the Easter holiday period.
The Duchess - who was famous ly the most titled person in Spain and more royal than the British queen - acquired the property in 1963.
It was the year she spent her first summer vacation with her first husband.
At that time, the house only had one floor, but over the years they built two more.
The mansion, which has a total area of 1,400 square metres, counts on 10 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.
It also has a large living room with a fireplace, a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, a gym, a sauna, a Turkish
bath, a cinema room and a wine cellar.
The house also has several terraces with sea views, a swimming pool, and a barbecue area.
Villa Las Cañas has been the scene of countless parties, celebrations, and family gatherings.
It was also the refuge of the duchess during difficult times, such as the death of her husband in 1988.
NOT FIT FOR YANKEES
AN American magazine has warned its citizens to avoid the Campo de Gibraltar and the Mar Menor area of Murcia (right) if moving to Spain.
International Living, which promotes the idea of living abroad, warns that Gibraltar has too much focus on banking and gambling.
It claims the ‘border towns’ of the Rock, such as Algeciras and La Linea, should also be avoided.
“Gibraltar's focus on online gambling and banking that offers international tax shelters adds to a somewhat unsavoury atmosphere,” it ruled.
“As a tourist destination, these elements do not pose a problem, but maybe you wouldn’t want to live there,” the article continues.
It was also extremely damning about the Mar Menor area due to its environmental problems.
It ruled that the saltwater lagoon area
Up and
The number of mortgages granted in May grew by 9.8% year-on-year, to 28,909 loans with the average loan rising by 1.8% year-on-year, hitting €150,219.
The percentage of home purchases financed by a mortgage stood at 46.3% and the size of the loan accounted for
AmericanmagazinesinglesoutGibraltararea andMurciaasnotbeingsuitableforUSretirees.
ButMijas,BenalmadenaandSitgesarefine
By Simon Hunter
has suffered from the ‘ecological collapse of marine life’ caused by pollution from farming and hotels.
an average 71.9% of the price.
The average price per square metre stood at €1,681/m² in May, which is 1.3% more than the same time last year.
Apartments rose by 3.4%, to 1,890 euros/m²; while those of family homes stood at 1,300 euros/m²- 3.3% less.
The biggest price rises were in Galicia (21.3%), Cantabria (11%) and the Valencian Community (10.1%).
Instead, the controversial feature on moving to Spain, picked out five places it recommended to its readers, four on the coast and one, Miraflores de la Sierra, close to Madrid.
In Andalucia it particularly recommended Benalmadena (far left), which comes top of its list.
It raved about the ‘quiet, family-friendly beach resort’ with its attractions including a butterfly park, a Buddist stupa, two aquariums and a cable car.
It also recommended its casino, despite its criticism of gambling in Gibraltar, and Tivoli World amusement park, despite the fact it has been shut for years.
And it raved about its nudist beach, Benalnatura, which ‘has its own café and bar’.
Second on the list is Mijas (left), described as attracting expats from all over the world because it serves as the gateway to Cos ta del Sol’s ‘golf valley’.
“With beautiful weather all year and reasonable greens fees, this location is a golfer’s paradise,” the article reads.
Finally it singles out Al muñecar, in Granada, and Sitges in Barcelona province.
MALAGA’S hotel sector has hit out at anti-tourism demonstrations.
Javier Frutos, President of The Malaga Association of Hoteliers (Mahos), said: “To demonise our main industry for electoral or ideological gains is irresponsible.”
The city was recently rocked by protests as demonstrators gathered in the historic centre, where they unfurled a banner reading Malaga para vivir, no sobrevivir (Malaga for living, not surviving).
Mahos pointed to last year’s housing law as the main culprit for the shocking housing situation.
Mahos has now launched a campaign to welcome visitors and highlight the industry’s crucial role in the economy.
The association has put up a series of multilingual posters giving a warm welcome to tourists and emphasising the positive aspects of tourism, such as job creation and economic growth.
BANDERAS BEATEN
DEFEAT for Antonio Banderas after years of legal battles has finally spelled doom for his Marbella villa.
Known as ‘La Gaviota’, it has been declared an illegal development and ordered to be demolished.
The villa was first blacklisted in 2003 after it was found the license granted by the infamous Jesus Gil administration ‘invaded natural land’. Banderas fought back against the ruling and in 2013, reached an agreement leading him to give up 1.2 metres of land at the side of the property.
However, in 2015 the ruling was revoked. This led to a series of legal disputes finally culminating in its demolition order.
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TEAMWORK: Paul and Emma have renovated the homes of Thandie Newton, Ian McEwan and half of Take That
Artistic
Transformations, upcycling and fine specialist painting for celebrities, royals and power brokers. Now the talented couple behind London’s Rock ‘n’ Rolf are back in Marbella and the Costa del Sol, writes Jon Clarke
FROM top crime writers to leading royals, Hollywood actors to Premiers hip stars and tech billionaires to half of Take That, is it any wonder the clients of Rock ‘n’ Rolf expect them to deliver and do it on time.
The artists - who live in Mala ga’s inspirational Serrania de Ronda mountains - are a ma rried couple who have worked between London, Los Angeles, Greece, France and Spain for the last three decades.
Transforming homes, designing furniture and painting film sets, there is literally no type of interior design demand they haven’t had to tackle.
In short, they are creatives, who have made a good living from harnessing the arts. Paul Rolf comes from a family of upholsterers (his dad was in charge
ROCK ‘N’ ROLF ETHOS
is beautiful
not want not
put off until tomorrow what you can do today
is in the eye of the beholder If it ain't broke don't fix it.
LICENCE
of all the furniture at the Bank of England) while Emma Cherry’s mum was a free spirit who brought her family up in Ibiza in the
“If you had to narrow down what we do
I’d say we are stylists, fine specialist painters and surface finishers,” explains Emma, who also teaches yoga and frequently takes to the stage, perfor-
ming in both English and Spanish.
“We often work with interior designers, but more often directly with clients and some of our favourite projects have been around Marbella, in particular up in the exclusive enclave of Zagaleta, creating bespoke finishes for several clients with multiple properties.”
Unable to give many names due to confidentiality clauses, they can reveal that one of them is an international software mogul (‘all top end and top of the range’), while others are ‘well known celebrities’.
“But I can tell you Emma once did a job at Highgrove House for the former Prince of Wales… yes, the King,” explains Paul, who grew up in North London, before attending art college where he studied painting.
extraordinary job with a myriad of original touches… and we also did the kitchen of Thandie Newton, who doesn’t mind us mentioning her,” he laughs. Their remarkable skills include fantasy marble, chinoiserie, washes, murals, antique finishes, distressing, decoupage and anything else you can apply to a surface.
Their remarkable skills include fantasy marble, chinoiserie, washes, murals, antique finishes, distressing, decoupage and anything else you can apply to a surface
“Oh and we recently painted the London home of Ian McEwan. It was an
“We work with so many different types of paint and work on fabric, furniture and walls,” explains Emma, who studied at drama college.
“But, above all, we are into simple, well executed jobs with an attention to detail. That is what most motivates and inspires us.
“And we love transforming spaces and particularly love upcy - cling,” continues Paul, who admits to frequently visiting rubbish dumps for furniture and other items. But this, he explains, ‘guarantees’ original
COLOURBOARDS: Rock ‘n’ Rolf work hard to choose the right colours and can do any type of bespoke painting
INSPIRATIONAL: Their home near Ronda has amazing views over rugged mountains
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
LOOKING FOR MORE PROPERTY STORIES?
items and their love of creativity has brought them work with some of the world’s leading names in kitchen and furniture design, including Chalon, Smallbone, Martin Moore and Humphrey Munson, not to mention London-based designers Violet & George and Godrich Interiors, Matthew Williamson, in Mallorca and JW Interiors, in Oxford.
They themselves have bought and remodelled many homes since meeting 25 years ago in London.
After working in France and America, they fell in love with the mountainous Ronda area, where they turned a small village house into the hippest, New York-style loft space maximising on light and views and crammed full of their dozens of amazing artworks and collectibles.
It’s a remarkable home, perched at the top of the village of Benaojan, with a leafy garden full of olive, carob and lemon trees and a large, open-plan living area with bespoke furnishings, bright lights and brushed concrete floors.
Everything is curated to feel like a film set, a la Sexy Beast, with a backdrop of ama-
Continues on Page 20
DESIGN: The team can work on any surface and have a big range of skills
Including
From Page 19
HUES, TONES AND TEXTURES
zing mountain peaks and nothing feeling out of place.
There is a particular emphasis on hues, tones and textures, while the selection of everyday items is thoughtful. Their choice of fabric, furniture and lighting is peerless.
The building cascades down the steep village slope and a guided tour leads you through a warren of bedrooms and then into a totally separate three-bedroom apartment, ideal for friends to stay and with the same level of style.
They make a good team, with Paul having a very architectural perspective and a keen eye for detail, while Emma is their interpreter and translator of ideas, guiding their choices.
Together they like nothing more than ‘hunting for treasure and rummaging around’ ending up reusing and reinventing everyday items and objects.
“We are influenced by the past, present and future, not just in terms of design, but also from an ethical, sustainable and philosophical perspective.
“We definitely want to make as little impact on the environment as possible and adopt an old fashioned makedo and mend attitude.
CREATIVE:
ROCK ‘N’ ROLF PEOPLE & PLACES
Rock n Rolf are Fine Specialist Painters & Artists with over 20 year experience transforming furniture, walls and surfaces. Experts in decorative finishes from the traditional to the more contemporary, including antique effects, distressing, fantasy marble effects, chinoiserie. Over three decades experience in Andalucia and the UK. MANY REFERENCES.
David Hicks, Peter Doig, Andy Stone, The Wizard of Oz, The Doors, Rutter, Shakespeare, Sissinghurst in Kent, V&A, Wallace Collection, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, The Alhambra, Tom Ford, Yves St Laurent, Mathew Williamson, Saturday Night Fever, A single Man, Dune, Picasso Museum Malaga, ELO, Blondie, Strictly ballroom, Sevilla’s Alcazar, Kew Gardens Richmond, Plaza De España Seville, Sex Education, Sir Kenneth, Ted Talks, Nyad, John Singer Sargent, Michael Clark, Olafur Arnalds, the BBC shipping forecast, Jacques Grange, Jasper Conran, Busby Berkeley, Rothko, Picasso, David Bowie, Steve McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Columbia Road, Fuengirola market, Emmaus
PAST PROJECTS:
many in Marbella and Zagaleta
PROPERTY
29thDecember 12th 2023
AIRBN-BROKEN
Ihad just finished writing the last piece on the explosive appearance of movements against ‘tourist massification’ and legal changes to tourist apartment rentals when news appeared that Barcelona was banning all Airbnb rentals. It is a surprising development in its radicalism. The full implications for the Barcelona tourism market – a key feature of the Barcelona economy – will take years to shake out. However, there’s already a debate opening about what the effect will be on the stressed housing market in Barcelona.
For instance, Spanish Property Insight, a source of solid analysis and statistics on the housing market, had an interesting take. They argued the ban would make no difference to the rental housing stock. It argues that unrelated factors, such as the new housing law in Spain, will ensure that the rental market continues to deteriorate.
BARCELONA REGULATIONS
Before getting into the details of that argument, let’s talk about the Barcelona law itself. Since 2012 Barcelona has had a licensing system if you want to rent an apartment through an online tourist apartment platform.
In many ways, Barcelona city has been a pioneer, for good or ill, in the regulation of tourist apartments in Spain. It has pushed increasingly stringent regulations as it sought to relieve pressure on the rental market and preserve the traditional character of neighbourhoods – with limited success.
It’s not surprising, given that Barcelona is a magnet for more than 12 million tourists per year (2023 numbers) in a city of 1.6 million. It brought in a total of €9.6 billion and employed 100,000 people.
Barcelona City Council puts out very detailed annual reports, and the report for 2023 shows that while 7.8 million tourists stayed in hotels, Airbnb-style tourist homes made up 2.9 million. According to the same study, the number of licensed Airbnb style homes was approaching 10,000 in 2023.
Will a ban on Airbnb ease the long-term rental housing crisis?
won’t be renewed. In addition, they are working on a law to mandate all contractors to allocate 30% of new homes to social housing.
This is a very big deal and will have an undoubted knock-on effect throughout Spain. In Valencia, following the Barcelona decision, there is a law in the works to ban any new tourist apartment licences in the old city.
Back to the argument in Spanish Property Insights – which is also an argument made by tourist apartment operators. They start by stating that eliminating 10,101 tourist apartments only represents 1.1% of Barcelona’s housing stock. How can that change anything?
Except that this is a bit of a, shall we say, self-serving number.
HONEST ACCOUNTING
First, it is a number based on licensed Airbnb-style apartments. Except, it is estimated by some – such as the watchdog website Inside Airbnb – that only 41% of Airbnb listings are licensed, while 32.5% are unlicensed, and the rest are exempt from licences.
Only 41% of Airbnb listings are licensed, and 32.5% are unlicensed
All of which is to say, tourism is a very big deal in Barcelona.
Besides the economic benefits of employment and tourist spending in the city, it has had negative consequences that will be familiar to anyone who lives in a heavily touristed area. There is a lack of affordable housing, a sense of loss of cultural identity in neighbourhoods where few locals can find affordable apartments, etc.
For instance, house rental prices have increased by 70% in the last decade, while purchase prices have gone up by 40%.
With that in mind, the city’s PSOE administration passed a ‘sunset law’ on all 10,101 Airbnb-type licences in the city. By 2028 they will all expire and
They get their numbers by data scraping Airbnb’s website, which doesn’t include booking.com, VRBO, et al. But according to their data model, there are 18,519 Airbnb listings in Barcelona. Also, only 60% of listings are for a full property vs 39% for a private room in a shared property. That means that Airbnb alone accounts for 11,100 properties plus another 7,000 multi-room listings. But that’s not the only reason that the 1.1% figure is problematic.
The second reason is that commentators are counting total housing stock – including home ownership. But that’s comparing apples and oranges. In fact, according to the city’s statistics, the rental stock in Barcelona is 290,416 units. Assuming 15,000 licensed and unlicensed Airbnb-style properties represent over 5% of the rental stock dedicated to Airbnb-style tourist rentals – and it may still be higher. One study in 2015 wrote that it was 6.85%.
THE IMPACT ON RENTAL PRICES
What’s more, if you look at the map below, also from Inside Airbnb, you can see that tourist rentals are heavily concentrated into a small area. Outside of the downtown, there are almost no Airbnb
rentals at all.
To be an honest accounting of the impact of Airbnbs on rental housing availability, we have to look at the rental housing stock just in those areas where we find Airbnbs. It seems clear that in many parts of the historic downtown, there is considerably more than 10% of the rental stock dedicated to Airbnb rentals. That pattern is exactly what you see in every tourist area – heavy concentration in downtowns, near the beach, the old town, etc.
In 2023 I wrote on the question of Airbnb-type rentals and their impact on local rental prices, using other studies. Here’s what I wrote then:
“There is certainly evidence that shows high concentrations of tourist rental properties do indeed have an impact on rental prices within a region of a city. For instance, a study from 2019 argued the following:
“The results show that a one standard deviation increase in Airbnb intensity is associated with an increase of 7.3% in rental price.”
Well, if large sections of downtown Barcelona have more than 10% ‘Airbnb intensity’, I’ll let you do the maths on what that means in terms of rental pricing.
When I wrote the above article, almost exactly one year ago, I was more circumspect about the impact of Airbnb on rental costs and quality of life. But I think the recent, very large street protests and broader concerns regarding ‘over-tourism’ demonstrate how deeply the impact is being felt.
UNDERLYING ISSUES BEYOND AIRBNB
It’s a vicious circle: more tourists = more demand for short-term accommodation = less supply of longterm accommodation = less supply of housing stock in certain areas = price increases = Locals get priced out of the market. This point also needs to be made. Simply outlawing tourist flats will not solve the rental housing crisis in Spain. There are bigger structural problems at play that have led to a long-term lack of new house building. If we just go back a few years, post-COVID Covid, the situation is very different. According to this study by the prestigious Brookings Institute, there was a glut of available
rental property post covid.
PROLIFERATION: The map shows Barcelona’s Airbnbs are concentrated in the centre
“As a result of the [COVID] crisis, the supply of rental homes in Spain increased 52% between September 2019 and September 2020. One factor is the transfer of tourist and short-term rental properties to the long-term rental market and the change from sale to rent for owners who cannot reach their price expectations.”
However, taking the example of Barcelona once again, the Spanish Property Insight article argues the following in 2024:
As a result of Socialist policy, the long-term rental supply in many Spanish cities has declined dramatically, especially in Barcelona, where 30% of rental adverts are now for seasonal rentals, up 53% in a year, whilst long-term rentals have declined 15% YoY, according to property portal Idealista. They use this as proof that the recent Spanish housing law reform has ‘destroyed the long-term housing market’. I don’t agree with the PSOE housing law and have written on why it won’t solve the problems we face. But the above argument about the rental housing market doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. It is equally likely that with the return of booming tourism post-Covid, owners returned their properties to short-term tourist rentals. Moreover, accompanying this tourism boom has been a boom in home sales and prices, thus further depleting stock and supplying the ever-increasing tourist rental market.
Let’s also not forget residents taking advantage of the booming sales market to sell rental stock, thus further depleting the market share of long-term rentals.
It may make us feel good to score points against the government, but this is not the only reason for the increase in tourism rentals and the decrease in long-term housing stock. And, as evidenced by the recent protests, you can’t hide the truth from those experiencing it.
The Property Insider by Adam Neale
Take a journey through half a dozen of Spain's house museums with Dilip Kuner
AS the summer heat arrives, the crowds head to the beaches. But as thermometers hit the sizzling 40s those-in-the-know are usually to be found hunting cooler alternatives.
Fortunately Spain boasts a wealth of cultural treasures, and its ‘house museums’ offer a unique opportunity to step
into the lives and spaces of creative giants - and get out of the sun. From the whimsical visions of Gaudi, the mindfulness of Cervantes or to the eccentric world of Dali, these homes-turned-museums provide a window into the minds that shaped artistic movements
CREATIV CASA NATAL DE PICASSO
Art enthusiasts can really delve into the world of Pablo at the Casa Natal de Picasso in Malaga, the birthplace of the iconic artist. This house museum offers a fascinating starting point to understand Picasso's formative years, before strolling round the corner to view his more serious works at the Picasso Museum.
In particular, you will discover why he loved painting doves and started as a small child, with the birds frequently perching on his bedroom windowsill.
PABLO: The birth house of the Spanish great can be visited in Malaga
CREATIVE E
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November 29thDecember 12th 2023
EXPERIENCED AND TRUSTWORTHY
JM Constructions explain why they are the people to see if you want to build your own home
EVER wanted to build the house of your dreams but haven’t a clue about where to start or how to go about it ?
Well to begin with you need an experienced and trustworthy company - a company exactly like JM Constructions
JM Constructions and Reforms have been operating in Spain for over 30 years serving the community on the Costa del Sol, and know absolutely everything you need to know about the building trade. Which means that they can handle every aspect of any works from the initial conversation, to dealing with licenses and permissions, sourcing materials, and constructing the works right up until completion. That could mean anything from constructing
a new build villa or out building, to doing reforms on kitchens and bathrooms or building retaining walls or a swimming pool.
No job is too big or too small, as JM’s proprietor Jaime told the Olive Press: “We can do it all to turn your dream house into a reality, from assisting with land acquisition to hiring an architect to produce your ideal design.
“We handle every single stage personally, which includes dealing with all the documentation pertaining to planning permissions, or whatever your chosen property needs to ensure that the build is constructed to a high and fully legal standard.
“Embarking on a self build can, for most people, be an extremely daunting prospect, but by choosing JM Constructions for your project, you are guaranteed a smooth and stress free process from start to finish.”
JM Constructions are also more than happy for potential clients to visit some of their completed works to inspect the quality of their builds first hand.
They have recently completed a large project in Casares, a villa that is now on the market for €1.1 Million, with the next smaller build being an 80 sqm finca, and another villa of 400 sqm already lined up.
With a strong work ethic and a desire to please clients it’s clear to see why JM Constructions have lasted so long and done so well on the Costa del Sol.
So whether you are looking for stone walls, damp elimination, internal walls, a roof or even a water deposit, just pick up the phone to give Jaime a call, and he’ll find a solution to suit both you and your budget.
Please contact Jaime at +34 630 344 897, email on info@casaresliving.com or visit the website www.casaresliving.com
SURREALIST: Dali’s house is located in Portlligat, Catalunya
His former home is a living testament to his surrealist vision.
Explore the unconventional spaces where the zany artist worked, and gain a deeper understanding of the artistic genius behind melting watches and dreamlike landscapes. Continues
Journey to Portlligat, a small town near Cadaques, in Catalunya, to explore the eccentric world of Salvador Dali.
GÜELL: Gaudi’s home is inside the famous park he designed
GAUDI HOUSE MUSEUM
Immerse yourself in the intimate world of architectural genius Antoni Gaudi at his former residence within Park Güell in Barcelona. This house-museum, where he lived from 1906 to 1925, showcases not only the architect's design genius, with furniture and objects crafted by his hand, but also offers a glimpse into his personal life.
Imagine him surrounded by these very furnishings, fueling the inspiration that produced Barcelona's most iconic landmarks, including the Sagrada Familia cathedral.
CASA DE CERVANTES
If you are more into words than paintings, then pay homage to Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Spain’s most famous book Don Quixote The former home of the iconic writer (formerly a tax collector) can still be visited at his birthplace in Alcala de Henares, near Madrid.
Live in The Real Spain...Traditional properties for sale
Jimena de la Frontera – Townhouse 275,000€
Three bedroomed traditional townhouse in the pretty whitewashed hill village of Jimena de la Frontera.
Jimena de la Frontera – Large Premises Massive Potential! – 175,000€
Large premises in the heart of the village near the Plaza, formally ground floor shop and apartment above with a huge terrace. Can be sold separately.
LITERATE: The Cervantes house dates back to the 16th century
For those drawn to the beautiful works of Joaquín Sorolla, a visit to the Sorolla Museum in Madrid is a must.
SOROLLA MUSEUM
Housed in his wonderful family home, the museum displays not only the artist’s vibrant paintings but also personal objects that illuminate his life and artistic process.
The Valencia artist did well during his lifetime, unlike many artists, and the size and grandeur of the home and its lovely garden demonstrate this well. In particular, you’ll see
photos of him painting there, alongside his children, while some of his best paintings are always on show.
Art lovers can pay homage to Francisco Goya by visiting his birthplace in Fuendetodos, near Zaragoza, in Aragon.
The Goya House Museum allows visitors to explore the humble beginnings of the artist who would come to revolutionize the Spanish art scene.
The simple home has many of its original features and sits in a charming old village, with many
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
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Golden visa!
SPANISH prime minister Pedro Sanchez recently announced his intention to cancel the Golden Visa scheme.
The Socialist PSOE leader said the move would stop speculation of the property market.
The programme grants any foreigner residency if they buy a home worth €500,000 or more.
The law was approved in 2012 in the middle of a recession following the real estate crash in 2010.
Its main aim was to reactivate the Spanish property market and attract foreign investors to buy all the real estate portfolio left with the banks, especially in those days when prices were extremely low and economies were suffering across the EU.
During its first years, the main applicants for the Golden Visa were from the Middle East, Russia and China.
But since Brexit came into full effect in 2020, there has been an increase in British applicants, who see it as the easiest route to moving to Spain permanently.
There are also more advantages when compared to other types of visas.
At the moment, the Government is drafting a new act to abolish the Golden Visa, but until that is passed, there is still time to apply.
So if you are thinking of buying a property in Spain worth €500,000, you can still apply for a Golden Visa, just do it now!
You will need to comply with the following:
● Have an Investors’ Residency Visa that is in date and not expired
● Have travelled to Spain at least once during the visa’s approved period
● Prove that the €500,000 investment is still in place
● Be over the age of 18 and without a criminal record
● Have medical insurance and sufficient money or financial means to support the applicant (and family) during the period of stay in Spain
There is still time to gain residency in Spain via the Golden Visa scheme, but you’ll need to act fast
The Residency Visa will be applied for and granted by the Spanish Consulate of where the applicant is buying.
A Residency Authorisation will need to be applied for and is granted by the Directorate General of Migrations.
The application for a Residency Visa will be resolved in a maximum period of 10 days, except where the application is subject to the EU Visa Code.
The Residency Authorisation will be granted in a maximum period of 20 days from application after which period. If the Consulate has not responded, the application will be presumed granted.
HUMBLE: Goya’s old home retains its old charms
CEO: Diego Echavarria
From Marbella to Mollina and Mijas to Manilva
TOURIST TWIST
A 2019 change in the law made it possible for communities to ban tourist rentals in their complex – with unintended consequences
SINCE then, a lot of communities have raised the 60% vote needed for the prohibition of new tourist rentals.
A ban can be good for those who want peace and quiet, but not so good for others. Namely the ones that want to sell the property, as a ban can lower the properties price by up to 15%.
So what happens in practice when a community of owners bans tou rist rentals?
First of all, the properties that already had rental licences can not be prohibited in continuing renting.
All valid licences keep being valid for use. So, a lot of the time, the ones that caused problems by not controlling their rental clients will keep on renting.
But the community can vote to up their community fees by 20% for the properties used for tourist ren
tals, as it is considered more wear and tear on the facilities.
For the ban to be legally valid the community must register the ban in the property registry – this is very rarely done (it costs money), and creates a legal problem.
For example, a buyer wants to buy a property as an investment for tourist rentals and is informed that the community has a ban in place.
But after checking the property registry the ban is not registered. So the buyer could buy the property, get a licence and rent it!
But doing so would most likely not be very popular with the neighbours... I find that a lot of the time the administrators did not inform properly about the legal process to make the ban legally valid and the cost in the AGM.
Hence the ban was not registered and problems arise.
Another controversial issue is that tourist rentals were never considered an ‘economic activity’ until a court ruling at the beginning of the year deemed that it is to be considered one.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
This is because many communities have written in the statues that economic activity is forbidden. The idea was to disallow commercial activities such as offices, medical centres, massage parlours, telemarketing centres, dentists, etc in a residential complex.
But this court ruling has created a controversy as some complexes now state that they in fact have had a ban against tourist rentals in place since
the complex was built.
And they are using this to get rid of rentals that had licences before they passed the ban based on the 2019 law. But by actually allowing it before it is now open for a heated legal discussion...
On the other hand, as the national government’s new Property Law from 2023 has failed miserably in making more permanent rental properties available at affordable prices, they are now aiming to make tourist rentals more difficult nationwide.
A ban could lower the properties prices by up to 15%
In recent weeks the minister of housing has started talking about making tourist rentals subject to VAT. Depending on which level they put it at it would take 10% or 21% out of the pocket of all owners.
I think it is unlikely that they will manage
to get support in parliament for this, but it creates a worry.
Personally I think it would be better to offer a bigger tax reduction for owners that rent out their properties long term. That would be an incentive for all parties and result in more available properties and lower rental prices.
• Offices in Calahonda, Torrequebrada and La Cala de Mijas.
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CALAHONDA
TORREQUEBRADA LA CALA DE MIJAS
Great Spaces From Concept to Creation
QUALITY SERVICE FOR QUALITY HOMES
RENSON Management has been overseeing projects and managing homes on the Costa del Sol for over 25 years.
With roots in the UK, they cater to both English speaking clients and Spanish natives.
Their team of professionals is dedicated to not only managing the construction of your dream villa but its maintenance.
Beautiful homes deserve to be looked after, whether that’s maintaining the air conditioning, pool, underfloor heating or any other facilities.
The Renson Management team is available 24/7, so you can enjoy your villa knowing that help is on hand. They are expert problem solvers with quality contacts, so they can deal with any issue and will think outside of the box to find a solution.
No problem is too big or too small, whether you’re struggling with your hire car or can’t figure out the pool settings. They look after properties in the coasts most exclusive areas including Zagaleta, Cascada de Camojan, Nagueles and Casablanca.
While most of our clients use their villas as holiday homes, they are also available to help with full time residences and business properties.
They offer their services all along the Costa del Sol and into Gibraltar.
As well as managing villas, they also oversee high end construction projects, ensuring they meet the highest standards.
Renson Management makes sure constructions stay within budget and meet programme requirements.
They provide detailed, chronological breakdowns of each project from the first meeting to completion.
If you work with Renson Management, you can be sure your property is in safe hands, whether you’re building your dream villa or looking after your holiday home.
GOING GAUDI
Efforts are underway to get six more famed buildings by the Catalan master UNESCO status
OME six buildings designed by the celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi are seeking collective UNESCO recognition. The sites, which are scattered throughout Spain, hope to achieve the honour by 2026.
In his home city of Barcelona is the Torre Bellesguard, while just across the sea
lies the Catedral-Basílica of Santa Maria of Mallorca (restored by Gaudi).
The Caprici de Gaudi de Comillas can be found in Cantabria, the Museo Casa Botines Gaudi in Leon, while the Palau Episcopal de Gaudi is in Astorga.
All six entities have signed an agreement
with the Gaudi chair of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), pledging to work together to achieve a place on the prestigious list.
If successful, they will join seven other buildings by the modernist architect: the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Palau
Guell, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens and Colonia Guell
Located outside of the Catalan capi -
tal, the recognition would push tourists to explore more of the region and diversify tourism. All of the buildings submitted have been subject to research, restoration and improvements dating back to 2005 in order to meet UNESCO’s rigorous requirements.
GRAND: The Palau Episcopal de Gaudi
BEAUTIFUL: The Caprici de Gaudi de Comillas and (right) the Catedral-Basílica of Santa Maria of Mallorca
GREAT: The Torre Bellesguard in Barcelona
Living the fusion of nature and golf
A residential complex with an attractive contemporary design and spectacular golf views.
Etherna Homes offering a modern and functional lifestyle, as well as a connection with nature and the Mediterranean Sea in the background.
Next to Valle Romano Golf & Resort
Swimming pool and gym
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Putting Green & Zen zone
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The modern and traditional harmonise in this coastal property just outside bustling Barcelona
A PREMIO FOR PREMIA
A DOG’S LIFE
hen you’re away from home it can be hard to leave the pets in the care of another person. It is so much more comforting to know your pet can stay in their own home and be cared for by real animal lovers.
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By joining a housesitting platform like HouseSit Match we facilitate an old-fashioned barter exchange where a pet owner provides the sitter with free accommodation and the sitter cares for the pets and property with due care and attention, just like old fashioned barter.
Plus HouseSit Match Saves Money because the Petsitting is Free!
If you use HouseSitMatch.com you find Free checked petsitters who pay their way to stay in your home caring for your pets in your absence. It’s an arrangement facilitated by a managed online system. Our house and pet sitting works as an exchange of services - Free accommodation for Free pet care!
HOUSESIT MATCH IS SAFE
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YOUR PETS STAY AT HOME
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Choose Housesitmatch.com for affordable travel, home and pet care and peace of mind for you and your pets.
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TRUSTPILOT TESTIMONIALS
4.9 / 5 - Excellent
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ATALUNYA’S architectural wonders are not confined to the capital city.
Just a short train ride up the coast from Barcelona, among the hills of Premia de Dalt, lies a fascinating treasure that has been described as a ‘sculptural monolith’.
It is pitched against Catalunya’s rugged Maresme coast, where mountainous uprisings dotted with tall pine trees spring up immediately from the coast line.
Standing out instantly from the surrounding houses and traditional Catalan architecture, the building is a bold
By Yzabelle Bostyn
and daring construction that breaks completely with what has come before.
While just a simple family residence, the structure embodies both architectural simplicity and something of the avant garde.
The monolith mixes the traditional Mediterranean architecture found around it with a modern design that creates something entirely new.
The uncomplicated white facade echoes traditional coastal buildings, while also ripping up the blueprint by using innovative techniques and materials.
Each was meticulously chosen to create a delicate, neutral palette which harmousily blends with its surroundings.
Inside, the house is constructed using interconnected segments, creating a flexible living space ‘where new narratives unfold as one moves through it’.
The strategic placement of windows and openings manipulates light and creates reflections to blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, creating a rare ambience of being both indoors and outdoors at the same time.
By pablocorrotopradillo, an architec-
tural firm based between South Africa and Toledo, Spain, the project has been a worldwide collaboration with designers across the globe. It was completed in 2023 for a private client, measuring 332 m2.
SCULPTURED: The house is found in the hills up the coast from Barcelona
FAILING TO WORK
Housingcrisisgetsworseasrentalmarkethitbydoublewhammy of soaringpricesupto20%year-on-yearandshrinkingsupply
SPAIN’S housing policies are ‘failing to work’ as it emerged rental prices have zoomed up by 13.2% in a year.
And the situation is ‘getting worse’ insisted a spokesman for Spain’s leading property website Idealista. Every city in Spain has higher rental prices than in June 2023, with Valencia and Caceres experiencing the highest increases at 19%. Madrid has seen rises of 17.9%, while both Palma and Barcelona went up by 17.8%.
On the costas, Malaga’s jumped 16.5% in a year, Alicante 14.1% and San Sebastián 11%.
By Walter Finch
Overall the prices have risen by 5% over the last quarter alone, with the average price now standing at €13.40 per metre square, according to website Idealista.
“The data shows the failure of all the government measures taken over rentals, culminating a year ago with the Housing Law,” said Idealista spokesman Francisco Inareta.
“All indicators, such as supply and demand pressure, show the situation is getting worse."
Tourist war continues
SEVILLA is removing 715 tourist apartments, two thirds of which are in the historic centre.
It is the first city to use new legislation allowing town halls to remove tourist lets which don’t meet standards.
The move follows an ongoing dispute over how to tackle the problem.
The Partido Popular (PP), is pushing to only limit the number of tourist apartments, insisting they are good for the economy.
The opposition PSOE party wants a complete stop on new licences and to slash the number from 10% of the current stock to a mere 2.5%.
Residents fear rising rents and a loss of the city's traditional atmosphere if drastic steps are not taken.
He continued: "The situation of falling supply and sharp price increases is much more intense in high-pressure markets like Valencia, Madrid, Palma, and Barcelona, where rent increases are dangerously approaching 20% year-on-year.”
He said the government needs to act and cannot wait to see if the new Housing Law will eventually work.
He added it is more likely to ‘significantly worsen the situation for thousands of vulnerable families’.
“It is necessary to take bold measures to restore the confidence of property owners,” he added. Barcelona is now the most expensive city to rent with prices at €22.10 per metre square, followed by Madrid and San Sebastian. Palma (€17 m2) and Malaga (€14.5 m2) round out the top five.
The cheapest cities for renting are Zamora (€6.5 m2) and Ciudad Real (€6.7 m2).
Iñareta, slammed the government’s housing policies for creating the price spiral.
"The data from this report show the failure of all the measures and policies that
Long-term rentals vanishing
THE housing protesters taking to the streets across Spain will feel vindicated by the latest data from Idealista.
The availability of long-term rental properties is down 17% across Spain, and they have been vanishing off the market at a spectacular rate in the most desirable cities.
In crisis-hit Barcelona, long- term rentals have plummeted by nearly half (45%) and in Madrid by over a fifth (22%).
In Malaga curiously – where the protests have been at their most vociferous – the long-term rental stock has actually increased by 4%.
In Alicante and Valencia the drop is also more modest, at 8% and 6% respectively. Landlords however clearly prefer the less risky option of seasonal lets, which have surged by 55% and now ac- count for 13% of Spain’s total rental stock.
have been taken regarding rental housing, culminating a year ago with the Housing Law,” he said.
A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS
The Finance Bureau makes buying property in Spain a breeze
SPAIN’S charm – from its picturesque landscapes to vibrant cities and rich culture – makes it a top destination for real estate investment.
If you’re setting your sights on a piece of Spain, consider using a mortgage broker to unlock the best financing options.
The Spanish mortgage market can be complex, especially for foreigners unfamiliar with local regulations, language, and unique banking practices. This is where The Finance Bureau can help you.
As a mortgage broker, we act as your guide throughout the process. We will explain the intricacies of the market, interest rates, and loan options, ensuring you have the most up-to-date information.
Instead of knocking on individual bank doors, we can present your application to a wider range of lenders, including banks, credit unions, and even private institutions. This broadens your options and increases your chances of finding the most competitive offer
that aligns with your financial situation.
Navigating paperwork, liaising with lawyers and sellers, and negotiating terms can be overwhelming. With our many years of experience we take care of these tasks on your behalf, freeing you from the stress and time commitment typically associated with We also leverage established relationships with banks which can translate into better terms and interest rates for you compared to what you might achieve alone. We at the Finance Bureau simplify the route to getting a mortgage by offering expertise, access to diverse lenders, expert negotiation skills, and personalised guidance. With our help, you can confidently secure a mortgage that aligns with your financial goals, paving the way for your dream of owning a piece of Spain.
LUXURY APARTMENT, MARINA PUENTE ROMANO Ref: OP14482
Built: 144 m² | Terraces: 41 m² | Beds: 3 |
BEACHSIDE PENTHOUSE, BAHÍA DE ALCÁNTARA Ref: OP14658
Built: 114 m² | Terrace:s 146 m² | Beds: 3 | Price: € 2,070,000
CORNER DUPLEX PENTHOUSE, ALOHA Ref: OP15010 Built: 140 m² including terraces | Beds: 3 | Price: € 795,000
RENOVATED APARTMENT, PUENTE ROMANO Ref: OP14904
FIRST-FLOOR APARTMENT, MONTE PARAÍSO Ref: OP14619
Built: 168 m² | Terraces: 41 m² | Beds: 3 | Price: € 1,675,000
ELEGANT & SPACIOUS APARTMENT, LAS BRISAS Ref: OP14351 Built: 180 m² | Terraces: 20 m² | Beds: 2 | Price: € 775,000