Ultimatum over illegal holiday lets

New decree to regulate mushrooming rental trade

HOMEOWNERS who are illegally letting out their properties to holidaymakers in Murcia region have been given a six-month deadline by the regional government to regulate the activity.

They have been told they have to register the properties with the regional department for tourism.

The deadline is established by Decree 256/2019 which was published in Saturday’s official bulletin (BORM) and will come into force within 20 days.

The aim of the decree is to tackle the increasing number of illegal holiday home rentals in the area.

A spokesman for the regional tourism department reminded that the properties offer ‘unfair competition’ to legal registered tourist apartments and accommodation, whose owners pay taxes.

These properties have also not been inspected by health and safety officers who certify that the homes are safe and in a fit condition to be rented out.

According to Decree 256/2019 any property which is rented for short periods at least twice a year or once a year for consecutive years is considered a holiday home let regardless how they are advertised.

The decree points out those homeowners renting rooms to tourists must also apply for a licence. After homeowners have made an application, inspectors will visit the property to check it meets legal requirements and to issue a licence number.

This number has to be included in all adverts and documents to prove that it is ‘legal accommodation’.

A plaque with the licence number and category must also be placed on the entrance of the property.

The decree also regulates check-in and check-out times.

Complaint forms must also be at the customers’ disposal in the holiday home.

Additionally the holiday home owner must have insurance covering at least €300,000 per accident, issue a receipt with all details of the stay to the customers, and ask for a passport or ID during the check-in and send a copy of it to the Guardia Civil and National Police.