Inspections will target the coast
Fines for illegal letting range from €12,000 to €600,000
INSPECTORS searching for illegal holiday rentals will concentrate on coastal towns in Alicante province, according to the decree regulating inspections and fines in the Valencia region.
The legislation came into force on Friday, February 7. According to the decree, 75% of the inspectors will cover the coastline of Alicante province, 15% will be posted specifically in Benidorm and 10% of them will concentrate on the inland municipalities of the province.
The decree establishes four levels of fines depending on the type of infraction which has occurred, which are €12,000, €100,000, 300,000 and €600,000
It also includes tough measures for the most serious offences, including closing down the holiday lets.
The legislation explains that two different types of inspections will be carried out on an annual basis.
These will be planned with holiday letting associations, town halls, chambers of commerce and other parties with interests in the tourism sector.
On the one hand general inspection campaigns will be carried out on an annual basis – and specific inspection campaigns will focus on certain areas, seasons or certain types of holiday properties.
However, the decree notes that no additional inspectors will be employed and the regional tourism department will have to rely on its existing workforce.
The legislation is linked to Valencia law 15/2018 which regulates holiday letting in the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón and its aim is to root out unregistered properties.
The regional government states that it will help guarantee that all tourist accommodation meets the quality and safety standards required by law.
However, as Costa Blanca News revealed two weeks ago, many property owners are not currently able to obtain the town planning compatibility certificate from their councils which is necessary to turn the home into a legal rental for tourism.
Some local authorities are turning down applications because holiday letting is considered a business activity and is not allowed by their local laws regulating land use.