Canarian Government officially launches scheme to make empty properties available for long-term let
The Canary Islands Government has officially put a new service out to tender aimed at bringing empty or underused properties back onto the long-term rental market for residents at more affordable prices.
The scheme is primarily targeting properties that landlords previously rented out, but have been withdrawn by owners due to concerns over lack of legal protection by changes in rental laws. There are currently more than 200,000 empty homes in the Canary Islands.
This change has allowed tenants to claim they are in a vulnerable situation, stay in the property, not pay rent, leading to long legal battles to resolve the situation. Because of this, property owners have lost thousands of euros and faith in long-term rentals, so have either switched to holiday lets or left their properties empty.
How The Scheme Works
The initiative, known as the Active Affordable Housing Register, will be managed by the public company Visocan. With a total budget of €1.8 million, the scheme will provide a full service covering everything, including:
- Identifying available properties
- Screening potential tenants
- Mediating between landlords and tenants
- Handling contracts
- Monitoring rentals over time
Speaking at a press conference, the regional Minister for Housing, Pablo Rodríguez, explained that the aim is to increase the number of rental properties available at prices below current market levels to improve access to housing across the islands.
He also stressed that the Canary Islands Government will provide “security” for landlords, guaranteeing rental income and ensuring that properties are returned in good condition in accordance with the terms of the agreement when tenancies end.
Incentives For Property Owners
The government describes the measure as both “efficient and sustainable”, highlighting that it focuses on making use of existing properties rather than relying on new developments, which typically require more land, public funding, and longer timeframes.
A similar scheme launched seven years ago failed to gain traction, attracting interest from just one property owner. At the time, strict conditions required landlords to hand over control of their property for seven years and accept rents well below market value.
However, this time, the approach has been changed. Owners will retain control of their properties, while rents will be capped at up to 30% below market rates, which is similar to protected housing schemes. The key element, according to Rodríguez, is mediation.
In return, the public administration will guarantee rental payments, ensure properties are returned properly, and, where necessary, provide support for refurbishment to make homes suitable for letting.
Wider Strategy
The initiative forms part of a broader strategy to tackle housing access issues in a more structural and long-term way.
Recent legislative changes support this effort. In March 2026, a new decree was approved to regulate housing allocation, replacing the previous lottery system with a points-based model using economic, social, and family criteria. Earlier, in April 2025, a decree law was introduced to speed up the processing of urban planning licences.
The Minister of Public Works, Housing and Mobility of the Government of the Canary Islands, Pablo Rodríguez.
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