Andorra Delays Rental Law Until 2026 for Broader Consultations

The Andorran government has delayed presentation of its proposed rental law until the first quarter of 2026, citing the need for wider consultations with tenants, landlords, opposition parties, and civil society groups to ensure a balanced outcome before rents unfreeze on 1 January 2027.

Minister Spokesperson Guillem Casal outlined the shift during Tuesday's post-Council of Ministers press conference. He said the executive had reviewed its internal work and opted to expand talks after the holidays, aiming for a "closed, executable, and acceptable" bill that avoids public confusion. "We have a year of margin, and haste is never a good advisor," Casal stressed, noting no fixed date within the quarter but ample time to assess impacts precisely. The draft has been shared with majority parliamentary groups and will extend to opposition parties and other stakeholders, he added. This marks a recalibrated strategy for a "new situation" after years of rent freezes, with shared recognition across politics that endless extensions are untenable.

The move follows backlash from unions and opposition over leaked drafts and procedural lapses. Unió Sindical d’Andorra (USdA) labelled the government's media leaks ahead of Monday's Economic and Social Council (CES) meeting "especially serious," accusing it of sidelining social dialogue, imposing rigid stances, and favouring large owners through rent increases while workers face inflation-eroded wages. At the CES, USdA decried the approach as a "failure," blaming the executive for population growth without robust housing policies and warning that proposed defrosting endangers basic housing rights amid shortages.

Opposition figures, speaking at Sant Tomàs events and the Casa de la Vall reopening, decried the lack of access to any document. Concòrdia leader Cerni Escalé called for CES-led dialogue before evaluating a "closed text" crafted without input. Socialdemòcrata head Susanna Vela saw the leak as a reaction test and awaited the full version. Andorra Endavant’s Carine Montaner insisted parliamentarians deserved first sight. Ongoing uncertainty has fuelled improvisation claims, with critics urging transparency to rebuild trust on this family-critical issue.

Majority voices urged patience. Ciutadans Compromesos’ Carles Naudi noted leaks may not match the final law and highlighted balancing frozen rents with tenant protections. Demòcrates awaited the definitive text for debate. Casal downplayed tensions, citing alignment with supporters and plans to include all sides for equilibrium.