What changes for owners?
Owners can now put an empty or little-used home into the programme online. According to minister Pablo Rodríguez, the website vivacan.es is already operational in a first phase. There is no need to visit an office in person.
The programme promises free unpaid-rent insurance for three years. Based on the available information, the regional government therefore covers missed rent payments for up to three years. Specific maximum amounts, exclusions and claims rules were not given in the published information.
Owners also receive advice on rent levels and help selecting tenants who can pay. Support with the contract and home inventory as well as legal advice are also planned. Help with repairs or refurbishment of the property is also expected to be managed through the service.
What changes for tenants and expats?
People looking to rent can search for available homes on the website. The filter includes island, municipality, rent, number of bedrooms and other features. Applications can generally be made through the website.
The sources do not mention any restriction to Spanish nationals. The participation and documentation requirements still to be published will therefore be decisive. Income limits or a fixed maximum rent have not been confirmed so far.
Applicants receive advice on Spanish tenancy law, the Ley de Arrendamientos Urbanos (LAU). Support with signing the contract and with later problems is planned. Mediation between tenants and owners is also part of the offer.
Where is the offer available?
The offer is intended to be available on the eight inhabited Canary Islands. Digital, in-person and mobile advice are planned. Specific addresses and opening hours have not been published.
Minister Pablo Rodríguez stressed in parliament that the service would not be limited to a website or a phone line. There are to be offices where residents can get help. No date was given for the opening of these offices.
Implementation is being handled by the public company Viviendas Sociales e Infraestructuras de Canarias (VISOCAN). Day-to-day operation has been taken on by the company Factoría, Gestión y Consultoría, S. L.
What applies to visitors and holiday guests?
The programme concerns residential tenancy agreements and contains no new rule for hotels, holiday rentals, entry or short stays. No effect on tourist bookings is stated. Holiday guests are not directly affected by the change.
For residents and expats who want to rent long-term in the Canary Islands, the programme could increase the supply of affordable housing. The government wants to use private empty homes. Many people not only struggle with prices but find no available home at all, Rodríguez said.
What is still open?
No start date for individual tenancy agreements was given. There is also no application deadline, income limit, fixed maximum rent or number of homes already available in the accessible sources. It is also not explained whether the insurance applies automatically to every accepted home.
The government or the programme administration still has to publish the full participation conditions, insurance details and advice locations. No specific date for this has been given so far. The selection and income rules are also still pending.
What happens next?
Alongside the programme launch, a detailed study is being prepared for each individual island. It is intended to establish how many homes are empty, which are habitable and what condition they are in. The study runs in parallel with the start of the programme.
Rodríguez said it was not necessary to wait for the study results before starting to accept homes. According to the minister, the programme was designed taking into account the experience of other autonomous communities and past mistakes.