Axarquía

Citizens discuss Touristic Rentals Decree in Velez-Malaga

By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 11 Mar 2016 • 8:55

Mayors, tourism councillors, private landlords, and real estate proprietors were just some of those in attendance at a meeting that took place in Velez-Malaga on March 7, where attendees were given a much-needed chance to get into the nitty gritty of the recently announced Touristic Rentals Decree.

The meeting played out in the headquarters of the Commonwealth of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol Axarquia, and was the second instalment offered in the Province of Malaga by the Junta de Andalucia regional government.

Landlords were able to use the opportunity to assuage any doubts that may have accumulated since the new decree was approved on February 2. Hot topics included the application to legalise residences and the consequences of not having registered dwellings.

Many answers were given to the queries raised, with representatives from the Commonwealth making it abundantly clear that the new law will only affect residential dwellings which are rented out habitually and intended solely for tourism purposes.

Rentals which are let out to the same person for periods of more than two months are exempt from the new decree as these are already governed by the Law of Urban Rentals.

The new decree aims to crack down on landlords who are renting out their residences for short periods of time. Anyone engaging in this practice who has not registered their residence by May 11 could be subject to hefty fines of up to €150,000.

However, President of the Commonwealth of Municipalities Gregorio Campos was emphatic in his declaration that the decree has also been designed to provide protection to both proprietors and renters, and that the new rules and conditions will guarantee a higher degree of quality control.

Campos has stated that the new measures “are fundamental because they are going to allow for an organised record of residences that are rented out for touristic uses, a method that is becoming more and more widespread among travellers, especially on online platforms.”