At the end of 2024, advertised homes for rent received, on average, 21 contacts before leaving the market, reveals data analysis carried out by idealista. However, compared to the same period in 2023, the number of contacts per ad decreased by 33% (at the time they received 32 contacts, on average), which may be related to the increase in the supply of houses in the Portuguese rental market.
“These numbers reveal that the pressure of contacts for advertisements of houses for rent remains high, despite having decreased in the fourth quarter of the year”, said Ruben Marques, spokesperson for idealista. This decrease “does not indicate that there are fewer families looking for a house to rent, but rather that there are more properties available on the market, especially since the supply of properties on the rental market increased by 59% in 2024. However, prices remain high and out of reach for the majority of Portuguese people”, he concludes.
The Portuguese city where advertisements had the most expressions of interest at the end of 2024 was Santarém, registering an average of 37 contacts for each house placed on the rental market, followed by Portalegre (35) and Setúbal (32).
Below the average of 30 contacts per advertisement of houses for rent are Bragança (26), Leiria (24), Ponta Delgada (24), Guarda (22), Faro (22), Vila Real (21), Beja (20), Coimbra (20) and Castelo Branco (20).
With an average of less than 20 contacts per advertisement for houses to rent, there are the cities of Lisbon (19), Évora (18), Braga (18), Funchal (18), Viseu (18) and Aveiro (17). The cities that received the fewest contacts, on average, were Porto (12) and Viana do Castelo (11). However, it should be noted that the low number of contacts per house for rent may be related to the greater supply in these markets.
The Portuguese government must take urgent action to address this growing crisis. The current situation is not caused by tourists but rather by issues related to migration policies. While the government has opened doors for migrants, promising better opportunities and benefiting from tax collection, the reality on the ground is quite different.
I have personally witnessed many Asian migrants living in extremely poor conditions due to the housing crisis and low wages in Portugal. People are struggling, and, to make matters worse, they are being exploited by landlords and middlemen who own or rent properties.
For example, I am paying €400 for a small room, yet I face unreasonable restrictions. My 2.5-year-old daughter is not even allowed to cry or play in the house. If she does, I am pressured to keep her silent, as if she has no right to be a child. This kind of treatment is deeply disturbing.
I wish I could take action against these people, but due to my housing situation, I have no choice. Where would I go with my baby? It is heartbreaking that some individuals treat us so poorly, while the Portuguese people themselves have shown more kindness and love towards my daughter than these narrow-minded individuals.
The government must intervene to regulate rental prices and ensure that migrants are not subjected to such exploitation and inhumane living conditions. Immediate steps are needed to protect the dignity and well-being of all residents in Portugal.
By Amit from Lisbon on 29 Jan 2025, 19:36