Back in 2013, I wrote an article on Holiday Lets based on Law 4/2013 that was passed in June of that year. That law stated “that over the past few years there has been a significant increase in the use of private accommodation for touristic purposes that can be perceived as intrusion and unfair competition and also goes against the quality of tourist destinations”. It was down to each Autonomous Region to govern this matter as holiday lets do not fall under urban rental laws and as the majority know, in the Canaries, ASCAV has fought tirelessly to establish property owner’s rights to let their properties on a short-term basis.
An interesting event occurred just a few days ago that was enough to make me want to write about the experience (with my clients’ consent of course). I was representing a British couple for a property purchase on the island and after they confirmed to me the conditions they had agreed with the developer in their initial meeting, I carried out the necessary property searches and in so doing contacted the developer directly. In one of our conversations, the developer mentioned off hand, a couple of other conditions that had not come up before; the buyer would be liable to pay outstanding local council rates and community charges for the previous year. This of course can lead to the buyer being held responsible for any other outstanding community charges three years prior.
Last year, I wrote an article about the polemic floor clause in mortgage loan contracts, a subject that has frequently cropped up in the news and is now a regular mainstay at Spanish Courts of Law. Most readers are now familiar with this concept but for those of you who aren’t, here is a brief explanation:
Around this time of year, most people find themselves reflecting on what they have done the last 365 days, what they wish they had done and what they plan on doing in the upcoming year. It is also a fantastic time to plot, plan and scheme so you can take your business to the next level or fulfil your dreams of finally starting your own business.
If you have had an idea in your head for some time but feel hesitant about moving forward with it, now is the time to really get serious and put your thoughts to paper. If you do not draft a business plan to map out your project, it may always remain a dream, one you may regret not pursuing further down the road, the same if you want to advance your existing business.
As an employer, one of the biggest concerns is whether your employees are making good use of the working day. Productivity is a major issue in this day and age with all the technology at our fingertips, what with Smartphones, Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media, there are many distractions in the workplace that can effectively cost the business money.
