An apartment rental listing in Tenerife has sparked widespread indignation among Canarian residents as it explicitly excludes them from applying.
The advertisement, posted on a popular property platform, states in capital letters: "IMPORTANT!!!! AT THE OWNER'S REQUEST, RESIDENTS REFRAIN."
Finding an affordable residential rental property in the Canary Islands has become an increasingly difficult challenge for residents, who are facing record-high rental prices despite having the second lowest wages in Spain.
Beyond soaring costs, some landlords are now imposing restrictions that explicitly prioritise foreign tenants with greater financial resources, further marginalising local residents.
The controversial listing, published by a Tenerife-based real estate agency, advertises a 70-square-metre apartment located on Calle Puerto Franco in Los Realejos.
The property, which consists of one bedroom, an open-plan kitchen, a bathroom, and a balcony, is listed for €700 per month plus bills. However, the most striking condition is the landlord’s requirement that local residents are not eligible to rent the property.
Foreign Demand Driving Canarian Residents Out of the Market
While this issue is not necessarily new, it has intensified in recent years. According to the Canary Islands Institute of Statistics (ISTAC), rental prices have gone up by 40% in the last five years, significantly outpacing the financial means of many residents.
Currently, the average rent in the Canary Islands stands at €1,200 per month, exceeding the national average, and higher than the minimum wage. Data from the property website pisos.com, published on Thursday, reveals that Spain's average rental price increased from €898.34 per month in January 2020 to €1,125 in January 2025.
The rise in rental prices is largely driven by wealthier foreign tenants, primarily from Europe, who are willing and able to pay significantly higher rents. As a result, many local residents find themselves priced out of the market, forced to share housing or continue living with family due to the growing difficulty of securing an affordable home.
This latest rental listing has once again highlighted the stark divide between local residents and incoming foreign tenants, raising concerns about housing accessibility, social inequality, and the future affordability of living in the Canary Islands.
