Maricarmen thanks support after controversial eviction: “Defend my home”

Maricarmen, the 87-year-old woman who was evicted from the house where she lived for more than 70 years, in Madrid, Spain, thanked the support of the citizens and those who were by her side on Wednesday, the day that National Police agents removed her from the house.

“I want to thank all the people who were with me and supported me during this phase of my life to defend my home,” said the elderly woman in a video from the Tenants Union sent to the Spanish television channel laSexta.

According to the union, Maricarmen is “tired and exhausted”, but “anxious” to fight for the right to live in the house, located in the neighborhood of El Retiro, in the center of the Spanish capital. 

For now, the elderly will be under observation at Gregorio Marañón University Hospital for a few days and, after being discharged from hospital, will spend a few days at a cousin's home.

Income went from 500 to 1,650€

Maricarmen was evicted from the house where she lived for 70 years, after an investment firm had acquired the property and increased the rent from 500 to 1,650 euros. The case generated protests, and there were even those who offered to pay their rent for as long as necessary.

Maricarmen's father rented the property in 1956 and, after his parents died, the woman continued to live in the apartment during the period when the income value was limited by law.

At the time, the lease was signed under the old rent control laws. With the approval of the Urban Rent Act of 1994, the legal framework for these leases has changed radically.

Maricarmen took over the property contract 20 years ago and has since served religiously with the payment of income, which has been increasing based on the value of inflation. 

However, the situation changed in 2018, when the building was purchased by an investment firm. The new owners began a legal process, claiming a gap in the subrogation of the contract, which they considered to be “economically unsustainable”.

The case reached the courts and the Spanish Supreme Court ruled in favor of the company, which tried to increase the income by 275%. 

Maricarmen, a retired elderly woman with 50% capacity, failed to pay the requested amount and in recent months hundreds of neighbors, social groups and platforms for defending the right to housing have mobilized in support, organizing camps and protests to prevent the eviction ordered by justice.

Anonymous writer offered to pay a difference in Maricarmen's income. Company did not accept

An unidentified writer came to offer to cover the difference in income to avoid eviction by Urbagestion, but the investment fund owner of the property did not accept. 

The Secretary of State for Housing of Spain, Leire Iglesias, stated that Urbagestion agreed to mediate the situation to find a solution to the Maricarmen problem, but ended up not answering their calls, according to Cadena SER radio.