The Complutense University has a housing complex for teachers that is practically empty, according to what the Ser chain has investigated with data obtained through the Transparency Law. Days ago, this reality was also denounced by a group of associate professors, whose salaries are around 600 euros per month.
These are three buildings located on Isaac Peral Street, between the districts of Chamberí and Moncloa-Aravaca, one of the most expensive areas in the capital. The complex has 92 floors, whose dimensions range from 50 to 250 square meters and nine goals. In total, 101 homes.
Of the total residential complex, only 33 apartments are occupied, which means that 67.32% is underused.
The Complutense University grants this type of housing for life to the teaching staff who request it. In the event of the death of the owner, his widow or widower and children can continue to enjoy the home until the descendants turn 23 years old.
The award criteria are based on old regulations that take into account criteria such as seniority, dedication and position of the successful bidder. It does not take into account economic criteria, although being married or having children offers additional points.
The problem is that the Madrid university awards these apartments through a competition, which it has not held since 2003.
The current 33 tenants pay rents of 52.62 euros per month, the lowest, to the 212.49 euros per month paid by the tenant who has one of the largest homes. In fact, rents have not increased since 2019. These are prices well below market prices. And more so, if you take into account that it is one of the best-priced neighborhoods in Madrid in terms of real estate.
This property has generated construction expenses of 615,759.93 euros for the Complutense University between 2019 and 2023, but the university center justifies this expense “to preserve the heritage.” Some expenses such as electricity supplies, elevator maintenance or gardening are passed on to the tenants.
According to sources from the university itself, which Joaquín Goyache has directed since 2019, “the current tenants have acquired rights”, which suggests that they cannot be kicked out. It is not ruled out that the Complutense University has in mind to sell the properties, but the current tenants have become old rent tenants, as it is known in real estate jargon, which means that until they leave they practically cannot be remove from the homes. This is causing the Complutense not to allocate the apartments to new tenants and at the same time there is a brake on hanging the “for sale” sign on the properties.
In fact, a group of associate professors, with very low salaries of about 600 euros per month, denounced this situation at the beginning of the month in the neighborhood magazine, Chamberí 30 Días, “so that citizens know this reality.” In addition, they have requested a meeting with the vice-rector of Economy of the Complutense and have contacted the main unions to denounce the situation. For now, only CGT has taken interest in the matter.
