The Canary Islands, a popular destination for British tourists seeking winter sun, have passed new legislation that could impact the availability of accommodations during peak seasons.
The bill, which was approved by the Canary Islands Parliament after a contentious debate, has faced criticism from holiday rental companies and local authorities. The legislation requires strict enforcement measures that have been met with opposition.
The ASCAV (Asociación Canaria del Alquiler Vacacional), representing holiday rental property owners in the Canary Islands, expressed disappointment over the new regulations, stating that they will adversely affect smaller rental operations and limit choices for vacationers.
The legislation primarily targets holiday rentals and has received support from the hotel industry, which views holiday rentals as direct competition. Under the new laws, all holiday rentals, including those by individual homeowners, will be classified as businesses. Strict guidelines will dictate where tourist rentals can operate, with a five-year deadline for councils to designate permissible areas for such rentals.
Additionally, the legislation introduces minimum standards for holiday rentals, such as property size and energy efficiency requirements. Properties must also be at least a decade old before being eligible for rental purposes.
Local councils are mandated to allocate 80% of housing for residents, increasing to 90% in major tourist areas. In regions facing demographic challenges due to tourism, new holiday rental license applications will be halted, while existing permits will remain valid.
Councils in areas where the 10% cap on holiday rentals has been reached will only accept new license applications once the limit is raised.
Despite granting more authority to local councils, critics argue that the new legislation will burden them with increased responsibilities to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Authorities have eight months to devise a plan for monitoring and enforcing the new rules.
Tourist rental licenses will now be valid for five to ten years, necessitating owners to seek renewals. In areas with housing shortages, this renewal process will pose challenges for the current 70,000 license holders.
These changes come after prolonged protests on the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. Despite calls to boycott destinations like Tenerife, the island experienced a surge in tourist arrivals during the summer.
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