A fresh new blow has been dealt to those property owners seeking to holiday let their properties in the Canaries after the glimmer of hope from Decree 113/2015, 22nd of May that would finally allow them to legally let after years of restrictions. Last Wednesday 23rd September, the Canarian Parliament ordered the regional Government to put the above-mentioned law that regulates holiday lets on standby until an agreement can be reached on the definitive text and this motion was approved with 39 votes in favour, none against and 19 abstentions.
As most of you are aware, the subject of holiday rentals in the Canary Islands has been a hot (and sore) topic these past few years due to the fact that it was not properly regulated and in spite of this, the Canarian Government issued elevated fines to those who chose to let their properties out on a short-term basis. Back in May, a decree was hurriedly approved under Decreto 113/2015, 22nd May, and this has created a mix of emotions; relief because progress has been made in regulating this industry and anger because of some of the extremely confusing prohibitions included in this decree.
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.
