Madrid Court Suspends Last-Minute Eviction of 82-Year-Old Resident Amid Tourist Flat Controversy

A Madrid court has halted at the very last minute the eviction of 82-year-old Francisca López Ruiz, known locally in her neighbourhood as Paquita. Having lived in her La Latina apartment for nearly three decades, she received an eviction notice just 22 days before her scheduled departure date. The Civil Section of Madrid's Court of First Instance suspended the execution order just hours before she was set to be removed from her home.

Paquita suffers from Parkinson's disease and has consistently paid her rent for 28 years. Having moved to Madrid from Huelva at age 15, the apartment holds her entire life, including memories of her late mother and husband who both passed away there. “I feel dead inside because this is my life, it's all I have,” she said.

The building where Paquita rents is owned by Tolesanta S.L., a company that has been purchasing dozens of properties in the area to convert them into holiday rentals, displacing long-time residents. Within Paquita's building alone, the La Chispera neighbourhood association has identified at least 21 illegal tourist flats. Paquita remains clear about the landlord's motives: “They want to turn my home into a tourist apartment. All they care about is money, money, money.”

The situation is further complicated by the fact that losing her home also means losing the support network of neighbours who have known her since her youth. Daily walks along familiar streets, brief exchanges with local shopkeepers, or sharing afternoon coffee serve as vital lifelines against isolation for the elderly woman.

The court ruling suspending Paquita's eviction noted that local municipal authorities had been notified of her vulnerable circumstances. The court asserted that municipal social services ought to offer social housing options, emergency assistance, or potential subsidies. Having received no response, the judge demanded an urgent assessment from the administration within ten days. No new eviction date has been set.

Paquita lives with her 47-year-old son Carlos, who works full-time in the transportation sector. Together, they have struggled to find affordable long-term housing in Madrid, where the market favours high-priced seasonal leases and tourist lets. City social services have provided little relief so far, according to Paquita: “They are overwhelmed and don't think about others.” City social services countered that the family does not strictly meet the criteria for economic vulnerability, though they confirmed that the emergency social service Samur Social would attend any future eviction procedure to conduct an independent assessment.

Despite the temporary court halt, Paquita’s neighbours went ahead with a planned rally. Residents gathered outside her building on July 22 at 10:30 AM under the slogan "We Are All Paquita" (Todos somos Paquita), with several demonstrators wearing masks bearing her portrait. Organisers explained that the rally aimed to ensure Paquita can remain in her home long-term or at least buy enough time to secure a dignified alternative.

“We don't have a backup plan. Whatever happens will happen, as God wills,” Paquita concluded.