Room-by-Room Ownership in Spain’s Housing Crisis
Habitacion.com, Barcelona’s New Disrupter
Spain’s soaring home prices have pushed many out of the market. A surprising response is emerging: individuals are buying single rooms rather than whole apartments.
- 22,000 people are on a waiting list to acquire a share in a flat.
- The offer is “room at a time,” allowing users to purchase a single space.
- The model lets buyers own a portion of a property without the full financial burden.
Habitacion.com is positioning itself as the most accessible solution for those looking to enter the housing market in a more affordable way.
Young Spaniards buy individual rooms to escape rising rental costs
Embracing Shared Ownership in Spain’s Rising Housing Market
Rising rents and steep mortgage rates are reshaping how Spain’s cities—Valencia, Madrid, and Barcelona—people secure homes. Instead of renting, a growing group is buying a single bedroom in a shared flat, while co‑owners collectively hold legal titles to the common spaces.
Habitacion.com’s Innovative Approach
- Founded in 2023 by Oriol Valls and Anna Bedmar, the company renovates apartments and sells them room by room.
- Each buyer receives a legal share of the entire property, including communal areas, enabling owners to benefit from both private and shared ownership.
CEO Oriol Valls explains the challenge: “A young person typically spends between 15 and 20 years saving for a down payment on their first home,” as reported by Telecinco News.
Why Shared Ownership Matters
- It lowers the entry barrier for first‑time buyers, allowing them to acquire a legal title without the full cost of a standalone property.
- Shared ownership fosters community, as co‑owners collectively manage common amenities.
Looking Ahead
Habitacion.com’s model is positioning itself as a forward‑looking solution to Spain’s housing affordability crisis. By combining renovation, incremental sales, and shared legal titles, the company offers an accessible pathway to homeownership amid high rent and mortgage pressures.
From €50,000 for a 12m² room
Valencia’s 12‑Square‑Metre Rooms Now Sell for €50,000
A 12‑square‑metre room in central Valencia can now fetch approximately €50,000, according to Telecinco News. Buyers such as Jorge, an early adopter of Habitacion.com, now own a share of a property, sharing a kitchen, bathroom, and lounge with others.
Jorge’s Story
“It takes a long time until you have the money for a down payment and an apartment,” Jorge explained. Rising rents leave him with few options.
Room Prices and Features
- Rooms cost between €60,000 and €80,000.
- Private bathrooms and balconies can raise the price.
- Most buyers finance through loans rather than paying the full amount upfront.
Legal Ownership: Proindiviso
Buying a room means co‑owning a proportion of the flat. The deed is signed before a notary and registered like any other property purchase. Owners can resell their rooms; the other co‑owners get first refusal. Habitacion.com even offers a buyback option.
Potential Returns for Co‑Owners
For example, a user pays €450 per month for a room, totaling €5,400 a year. As a co‑owner, that same monthly payment creates a property asset. Within five years, they could earn more than €20,000 if they sell the room, said co‑founder Anna Bedmar (El País).
Habitacion.com’s 2024 Performance
- Total sales: €3.4 million.
- Revenue: €1.4 million.
- Not yet profitable, but closed a €1.3 million investment round led by Demium Capital.
Future Plans
The startup plans to use this funding to improve its tech platform with AI and expand into southern Europe, Telecinco News reported.
Spain’s Housing Landscape
Spain now has over 27 million homes, but average earners are increasingly shut out of ownership. Housing policy expert Javier Burón told Telecinco that the current system does not address the basic needs of people with average salaries and incomes.
Your Verdict?
Would you buy a room to climb the property ladder, or is this a sign that the market is completely broken?
