B2 — Upper Intermediate
Maricarmen’s eviction has become a prominent example of Spain’s ongoing housing crisis. In September 2026, 87-year-old María del Carmen Abascal was evicted from her Madrid apartment after living there for more than 70 years.
Her case attracted national attention because of the sharp increase in the rent demanded by the new property owner and concerns about whether vulnerable long-term tenants have enough protection.
Her eviction also sparked protests and renewed discussion about rising rents, housing affordability, evictions, and the shortage of adequate housing in Spain.
The case has therefore become part of a wider debate about how Spain can balance property rights with access to stable and affordable housing for people at risk of displacement.
Read the article and find out more about Maricarmen’s eviction and Spain’s housing crisis.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6vgy55lm8z1o
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “eviction” mean? “Several hundred people, mostly youngsters, had gathered by the morning in a bid to prevent the eviction from taking place, chanting “Maricarmen stays”.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “tenant” mean? “The tenant of the flat in the Retiro area of central Madrid, Maricarmen, was unable to pay the rent set by the investment firm that owns it.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
- What does “unbridled“ mean? “Today is a very sad day, a very dramatic day, when it’s plain to see the effects of unbridled speculation, of not wanting to control the market, of putting out the red carpet for the vultures and the speculators.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym.
Discussion Questions:
- Why has Maricarmen’s case attracted so much public attention? What are your thoughts on her eviction from her home?
- How can rising rents affect elderly and low-income residents?
- Should long-term tenants receive additional protection from eviction? Why or why not?
- Should rent increases be regulated in areas where housing is especially expensive?
- Share your thoughts on this, “Some critics of the government say it needs to work harder to build new homes, and others warn that its rhetoric discourages many owners from placing their properties on the rental market.”