A survey on Idealista reveals that only 23 homes are available for rent for less than 1,000 euros per month across the island. Of these, only four are in Palma, while Manacor and Sant Llorenç account for the majority.
Finding a rental apartment in Mallorca for less than 1,000 euros per month has become an almost impossible mission. A survey conducted last Thursday on the Idealista portal located only 23 homes across the island below that price. Of these, only four are in Palma, the municipality with the highest demand. The situation is even more discouraging on Fotocasa: out of 24 listings, many are for individual rooms rather than complete apartments.
Minimal supply on major portals
The president of the Official College of Property Agents of the Balearic Islands, José Miguel Artieda, confirms that the supply below 1,000 euros is practically non-existent. "The recommendation is not to spend more than 30% of income on housing, but to access a rental in Mallorca, families need more than 3,000 euros per month in income," he explains. This is an unattainable figure for many families, especially younger ones.
As an anecdote, in Ibiza, Idealista only offers one property for less than a thousand euros that is not a winter seasonal rental. The scarcity is widespread throughout the archipelago.
The causes of the collapse of affordable supply
Artieda points out several factors that explain this situation. July is one of the months with the highest demand due to the arrival of seasonal workers, which further strains the market. Additionally, the Balearic Islands consistently top the rankings for real estate prices, doubling the national averages in almost all indices.
But there is a key factor: in neighborhoods that were traditionally more affordable, owners are shifting from traditional rentals to room rentals, which are much more profitable. The president of the API cites a recent complaint from Consubal in the Palma neighborhood of Son Oliva: a three-bedroom home whose living room was illegally converted into two more rooms. Thus, for an apartment that would generate 800-900 euros per month in the traditional market, charging 475 euros per room results in a monthly income of 2,375 euros.
Artieda agrees with the president of Consubal, Alfonso Rodríguez, that the culprits of these irregularities are mostly small landlords, not large companies. The conversion of entire homes into room rentals is reducing the supply of affordable apartments.
What does this mean for citizens?
For an average Mallorcan family, finding a rental for less than 1,000 euros is almost a pipe dream. Most of the listings that appear on the portals are for short-term rentals or rooms. Those wanting a complete apartment must be willing to pay much more or expand their search to inland municipalities, although even there prices have skyrocketed.
The situation is particularly tough for young people, who see the dream of independence slipping away. According to industry data, the average rental price in Mallorca is now around 1,500 euros, well above the national average.
Looking to the future, experts do not foresee any improvement in the short term. As long as demand remains high and the supply of protected housing is scarce, prices will continue to rise. The only hope, in the medium term, lies in increasing the construction of public housing and tightening inspections against illegal room rentals.
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