The regional government has obtained the removal by Idealista and similar platforms of protected housing listings that include hidden overpricing. The action follows a June 22 letter from counselors Denis Itxaso and Javier Hurtado.
The Basque Government identified at least six cases in which recipients of official protected housing offered their flats on portals while requiring buyers to purchase furniture or other items at prices that concealed an illegal surcharge. A March ruling by the Basque Country High Court had already upheld the legality of sanctions for this practice.
Counselors Denis Itxaso and Javier Hurtado sent a letter to Idealista founder Jesús Encinar expressing their “deep institutional concern.” They reminded him that protected housing “is not a speculative product, but a key instrument of social cohesion” and demanded the immediate removal of the fraudulent listings.
The Housing Department has begun inspections of the affected files. If irregularities are confirmed, the government may exercise its right of first refusal and purchase the property at the official protected price. Itxaso also announced plans to reform the 2015 Housing Law to strengthen controls on future transfers.
