Spain orders removal of over 86,000 short-term rentals
The Spanish government is tightening control over the short-term rental market. The Ministry of Housing (MIVAV) has obliged online platforms to remove 86,275 listings which do not meet the requirements of the new registration regulatory.
These are entities that have applied for a mandatory registration number, but have not met the legal criteria. The rule was introduced last summer, when Spain establishes national register of short-term rentals – the first of its kind in Europe.
The regulator's intention is clear. To reduce pressure on long-term rentals. To increase the availability of housing for local residents. To mitigate price growth in urban and tourist areas.
The largest number of irregularities were recorded in Andalusia. This is followed by Valencia and the Canary Islands. Madrid and Barcelona stand out as cities with the highest number of rejected registrations.
The system also forecasts severe penalties. Owners who have not initiated the registration process face fines of up to 500,000 euros. Long-term rentals and offline agreements are not covered by this scheme.
The government justifies the measure by protecting the social function of housing. Unregulated tourist rentals are seen as one of the factors driving up prices and changing the structure of neighbourhoods.
