82
82

Madrid´s New Law Questions Legality of 80% of Holiday Apartments

17/07/2014 – Cinco Dias

The dispute over the holiday accommodations intensifies. A week after the Community of Madrid enforced the decree to regulate regional tourist apartments, their and hotel owners complain it is “a disguised prohibition” for the sector.

The decree yet has not come into force officially. It includes a line added in the last moment, stating that the holiday homes cannot be leased for a term shorter than five days. According to Fevitur (Spanish Federation of Housing and Tourist Apartment Associations) and Asotur (Holiday Accommodation Managers Association), the normative affects 80% of the sector´s activity as the overnight stays average at 3.2. “Restriction to five nights is equal to a hidden prohibition and an arbitrary limitation”, said Eliseo Martínez from Fevitur.

David Tornos, speaksperson at Asotur added the limitation “will enhance the black economy”. That is why, both organizations are exploring legal measures to modify the decree before it becomes effective.

Another association representing holiday home owners in Madrid, Aptur, assured “the regulation does not follow any rational criteria and rather looks like a result of the pressure put by hotel groups“.

The new law by the Community of Madrid “aims at protecting the rights of the apartments´ users, as well as maintaining the service quality in the region”. Also, other Spanish local authorities decided to take steps to bring the illegal activity down. For instance, recently Catalonia fined Airbnb with €30.000.

You can check the requirements a holiday home in Madrid must meet HERE.

What is more, the regulation sentences many collaborative housing units which offer a part of a house for rent. Lately created Madrid Peers seeks improving communication between the consumers. In opinion of its general secretary, the aforementioned law “obliges the user to go to a hotel or another city offering this kind of accommodation”. Also, the association assures that large part of the holiday apartment landlords lease their property to make ends meet.

 

Original article: Cinco Días (by Laura Salces)

Translation: AURA REE