Andorran Families Face Eviction Notices and Court Battles Amid Rental Market Turmoil

**Rising Tensions in Andorra's Rental Market as Families Face Eviction Notices and Court Battles**

Around 25 families living in two apartment buildings on Doctor Mitjavila street in Andorra la Vella have received notices from landlords stating that their current leases will not be renewed once they expire. The letters, sent in early April, come amid growing uncertainty over upcoming regulations to unfreeze rental prices, leaving tenants worried about potential price hikes or having to relocate in a market with limited availability.

The government has advised affected residents to consult public housing authorities for guidance on their rights. Officials emphasise that while owners can decide on their properties, they must adhere to legal requirements, including any caps on rent increases under the new rules. Tenants report confusion over how the changes will apply to new agreements, and they are calling for clearer protections in an increasingly strained housing sector.

In a separate dispute highlighting vulnerabilities in verbal rental deals, a family with two young children and a dog in La Massana faces a civil eviction proceeding in the Batllia court. The conflict, ongoing since June 2025, stems from disagreements over lease terms without a formal written contract.

The family claims they entered the apartment following a verbal agreement arranged through a real estate agency, including monthly payments of about €1,750 covering rent, utilities and parking, plus a pet allowance. They paid a reservation fee to the agency and a deposit, later lodged with the court, and changed the door lock after alleged threats from the landlord over storage use. "We have two small children and didn't know what might happen," they explained, describing it as a safety measure.

The landlord denies any rental agreement, asserting the family occupied the property without permission and that payments represent compensation for damages, not rent. The owner's side views the lock change as improper. A prior court filing was dismissed on procedural grounds, prolonging the uncertainty as the family continues payments while awaiting a ruling on whether verbal contracts—valid under Andorran law if consent and price are proven—are enforceable here.

Both cases underscore broader pressures on Andorra's rental market, where tenants lack strong safeguards without clear documentation. No final outcomes have been reported in either matter.