Palma30/11/2017 00:00
I was involved in a lively debate this week with my Spanish colleagues over the issue of renting out your home to tourists during the summer season. Of course, there were mixed views, with one complaining that the villa next door to his home in a once quiet residential area of Palma had become a source of anger with residents as a result of the antics of some the tenants. But the general view was that you should be able to do with your home what you like, and most agreed that everyone should be able to rent out their homes as long as it was legal; in other words that taxes were being paid and the home met the various levels of quality.
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There has to be some restrictions in some areas, you ran a piece this week saying that long term rentals in Palma had doubled in three years, to an average of 1200 a month. No doubt the rapid rise in Air BnB's in the capital have reduced the stock available for long term rents, which has fueled the price rise. Spain has epidemic low pay, with a great many struggling to make much more than 1000 euros a month, there is a real risk of impoverishing a great many vital workers if it continues unchecked.
With less and less self catering apartments, even in large hotel chains. I have never since 1989 gone B & B to All Inclusive, always Self Catering, and now an apartment owner, I was finding it more difficult to get self catering, and in the end I bought an apartment off a good friend I made on the Island a few years ago. I now fly from Gatwick about once a month through the year, even for just short breaks. The hotel chains are not catering for all needs and flexibility , only those that wish to eat in the hotels. Perhaps scrap tourist tax for self catering hotel apartments altogether, as self catering usage is adding more money to the local economy. I do not let my apartment out, as everything is where I have left it from the previous visit, and ready for the next.
It's simple, Jason: it's because many politicians are cosily in the pocket of the hoteliers who have massive financial leverage.
Would those renting a Home , find that the people using their homes, went shopping at local shops etc. Even the restaurants, bars , and tourist gift shops. The " ALL INCLUSIVE " concept would not exist in a rented property, thereby supporting the self employed businesses.
Spot on if only they would make it that simple and quick we could save next season along with thousands of businesses and hardship for thousands of families. Get Barcelo out now and get someone in to turn this mess around before it's too late !