Balearic and Canary Islands in defense of vacation rentals

The Tourist Housing Association of the Balearic Islands (HABTUR) and the Canary Islands Vacation Rental Association (ASCAV) of the Canary Islands, which together have more than a thousand members and represent more than 75,000 homes, unite in a common front to achieve a fair regulation adapted to the reality of vacation rentals. They call for a fair regulation where the benefits of this type of rental for various sectors of society are claimed.

The two archipelagos are world tourism powers and references and have similar geographic, economic and social characteristics. And also, they share restrictions that affect the regulated and orderly practice of vacation rental housing, which limits not only the right to property, but also the right to free service.

In defense of vacation rentals

Because, in the face of the inattention of the two autonomous governments in providing legal coverage to a latent and growing reality, and in order to provide legal security not only to the owners and intermediaries of the properties, but also to the millions of tourists who choose this type of accommodation every year, it is necessary to unite, and the first step is to seek a meeting with Matilde Asián of the Secretary of State for Tourism.  

In the Canary Islands, vacation rentals are regulated by decree 113/2015 of May 22. According to ASCAV, this decree does not conform to the government's commitment to bring the totality of holiday homes to that of legality. The decree violates principles such as freedom of competition or the right to free use of property, and has generated regulatory chaos and legal uncertainty.

In the Balearic Islands, the reform of the Tourism Law of the Balearic Islands establishes ceilings, zoning and requirements that are difficult to comply with in order to legalize vacation housing in general. It also establishes five-year licenses, reviewable at any time, for housing in multi-family buildings, generating legal uncertainty. It establishes requirements for prior approval by the communities of owners of multi-family dwellings, invading state competences and contravening the Horizontal Property Law. In addition, the insular councils and the city council of Palma will decide the zones where the vacation housing will be allowed, generating legal insecurity.

The signatories of this manifesto in favor of vacation rentals, want an adequate regulation of the sector in all equally with the sole objective of developing this activity with guarantees and fiscal responsibilities. A manifesto that is also supported by the Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises of Mallorca (PIMEM), the Federation of Employers of Commerce of the Balearic Islands (AFEDECO) and the Association of Small and Medium Commerce of Mallorca (PIMECO). At the same time as other associations such as the Association of Rental Vehicles of the Balearic Islands (AEVAB), as well as some of the municipal markets, Santa Catalina or Pedro Garau.

If you have a property in the Balearic Islands and you do not know what is the legal situation to rent it to tourists, you can write to us and we will gladly advise you, we are specialists in the management of holiday homes.