Global giant hit by court fine for illegal letting
Unregulated apartments ‘damage the reputation of the region’ as they are not subject to mandatory safety and health checks, says Valencia tourism chief
A BID by internet letting platform Airbnb to escape a €30,000 fine imposed by the Valencia regional government has been thrown out by the courts.
A Valencia judge turned down an appeal by the company.
Regional secretary for tourism, Francesc Colomer explained that Airbnb Marketing Services had asked the court for administrative appeals to annul their fine for ‘advertising and commercialising tourist apartments via the internet, without showing the necessary registry number for the property’.
Sr Colomer noted that this is the fourth time they have won such a case against an internet letting platform.
He reminded that regional courts have already ruled in their favour when appeals against fines where presented by the platforms Homeaway, Rentalia and Windu.
“Once again the courts have ruled in favour of our capacity to fine those who do not comply with the law,” he said.
“In this case it was the global giant, Airbnb.”
Sr Colomer noted that it aids their fight against tourist properties which have not been registered with the regional government.
He reminded that there is a huge ‘hidden economy’ at work in the tourism sector, with companies and private owners who do not pay tax on their returns.
He said this ‘disloyal’ offer also damages the legal tourism sector which complies with the law.
Unregulated apartments hit the reputation of the region as they are not subject to the mandatory safety and health checks.
“Visitors to the Valencia region should choose legal apartments because these are the ones which guarantee that their rights as a consumer are respected,” he added.
Sr Colomer noted that around 50,000 properties have been signed on the regional government’s tourism register in the last four years.
“This is good news and gives us heart to continue fighting against the illegal apartments,” he said.
“We will continue to take legal action against the platforms which do not curb their illegal practices and continue to advertise properties which have not been registered.”