In 1947, António de Oliveira Salazar initiated a rent freeze for Lisbon and Porto, which remained in force for over 40 years and ensured that for some old-style apartments in the late 1980s, <5 euros/month had to be paid. After the freeze, rent increases remained limited to inflation until 2006, so that rents remained very low. Many homeowners let their old apartments become derelict because the money was missing for renovations. Sanitary facilities with shower and toilet were missing in many buildings. In the center of Lisbon, about 20 houses per year collapsed at the end of the 1990s due to poor condition.
In 1947, António de Oliveira Salazar initiated a rent freeze for Lisbon and Porto, which remained in force for over 40 years and ensured that for some old-style apartments in the late 1980s, <5 euros/month had to be paid. After the freeze, rent increases remained limited to inflation until 2006, so that rents remained very low. Many homeowners let their old apartments become derelict because the money was missing for renovations. Sanitary facilities with shower and toilet were missing in many buildings. In the center of Lisbon, about 20 houses per year collapsed at the end of the 1990s due to poor condition.