Two groups from the Socialist Movement have released a video featuring the testimony of Sara, a woman facing eviction threats from a flat in Durango. Sara arrived from Algeria with her mother and sister, with an initial agreement to rent a property in Zornotza for 550 euros per month, as advertised.
However, the reality turned out to be quite different. They were told they had to rent two rooms in a Durango property, each for 550 euros. "I had no other choice, I had to rent them," Sara states in the video. In response to this situation, the family has endured harassment and threats, particularly when Sara was unable to pay part of the rent. Eguia allegedly called her constantly to demand payment and threatened to forcibly evict the family if she didn't comply.
In early May, while Sara was out, her sister called her in distress, reporting that two men had entered the apartment without permission and threatened a resident with "breaking his head" if he didn't pay. The family claims that Eguia himself later threatened them, assuring them that "if they didn't leave, these people would reappear, but they would act differently".
In response, the Socialist Council of Durangaldea and the Housing Union have denounced the "violence and impunity against the most vulnerable sectors." Both groups have highlighted that some businessmen "take advantage of tenants' helplessness" and "extract maximum economic profit at the expense of those in vulnerable situations." To show support and solidarity to the family and organize protests against the alleged aggressions, the Union has called an open meeting for Thursday the 11th, under the arcades of Ezkurdi square in Durango, at 7:00 PM.
Xabier Eguia, originally from Laudio, manages over 400 rooms under the 'rent-to-rent' model, many of them in Aiaraldea. This model involves renting entire properties and then subletting them room by room. He shares information about his activities on social media, offering advice to his followers on topics such as achieving over 20% profitability or how to circumvent new housing laws. Aiaraldea Komunikabidea has attempted to contact Eguia for comment, but he has not made any statements on the matter.
