Catalonia deploys AI to track empty flats amid zero enforcement

The Generalitat of Catalonia is deploying an artificial intelligence system to identify vacant apartments across its municipalities to combat a growing housing crisis. The initiative marks a shift toward data-driven surveillance to mobilize rental stock in a region struggling with supply.

Developed by the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (Cimne) in Lleida, the system analyzes water and electricity consumption, census data, and municipal records to determine whether a property is occupied. This high-tech approach replaces the previous requirement for officials to conduct physical inspections to verify if a home was empty. The scale of the issue is significant: in 2021, Catalonia had approximately 418,000 empty homes, with Barcelona alone accounting for 75,476 properties, or 9.3% of the city's total housing stock.

The shift to data-driven mapping

The Catalan government is facing intense pressure to increase the supply of rental properties as housing costs soar. By utilizing AI, the administration aims to create a "prevalence map" of empty housing to streamline the identification of vacant units and target mobilization efforts more efficiently. Jordi Mas, Director General of Housing, stated that the government intends to prioritize contact with owners and implement measures that favor the mobilization of flats before resorting to sanctions.

Enforcement gap and privacy concerns

Despite the sophistication of the new tracking system, reports indicate a stark disconnect between surveillance and enforcement. The Generalitat has not imposed any fines on owners of empty apartments in three years, despite having the legal authority to do so since March 2022. This lack of punitive action has drawn sharp criticism from housing rights advocates. Enric Aragonès, a spokesperson for the Sindicato de Alquiladoras, questioned the utility of laws and regulations if governments lack the will or resources to enforce them.

Furthermore, the use of private utility data—specifically electricity and water usage—to monitor private property raises significant questions regarding privacy and the boundaries of government surveillance. The contrast between the high-tech identification of vacant homes and the absence of fines suggests a policy preference for incentivization over punishment.

What remains to be seen

As the AI system becomes fully operational, the primary question is whether the "prevalence map" will actually result in more homes entering the rental market. While the government emphasizes a collaborative approach with owners, housing groups argue that without the threat of fines, the system is merely a data-gathering exercise. Observers will be watching to see if the Generalitat begins to exercise its legal power to penalize owners or if the AI tool remains a passive instrument of observation.