The average Ibiza family has real problems finding somewhere to live. The high cost of housing both to buy and to rent means that an enormous proportion of family income goes on keeping a roof
over their heads.
True, this is a problem for many people the world over, but ironically here in Ibiza there are hundreds and hundreds of properties standing empty. In San Antonio
the council has given the owners of empty properties and incentive to rent them out to needy families – they've increased the tax is levied on them by 50%.
The tax, known as IBI, varies with the size and
location of the property, was between around €300 to €400 and will now jump to €450 to €600. Joan Pantaleoni of San Antonio Council hopes that this will encourage more rentals of
around €450 to €550 a month so that families in the medium/low income bracket can afford them.