Tourism

Holiday rentals' association calling for regulation against rip-offs

Legal or otherwise, there is potential for rip-offs in the holiday rentals' market.

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma30/08/2016 00:00

Aptur, the association for apartments and properties for seasonal rental, has expressed its total rejection of any abuse or scam in renting out accommodation. At the same, it states that demand for this type of accommodation is booming in the whole of Europe and contributes to local development and the distribution of benefits from tourism.

The association's president, Juan Estarellas, says that it is vital that regulation is introduced as swiftly as possible in order to clamp down on abuse and deception, such as with the supply of accommodation in poor condition, without necessary equipment and with insufficient space for the number of people staying in it. He emphasises that Aptur is all about ensuring that there is quality, so that tourists will be satisfied and wish to come to Majorca and the Balearics again. Poor quality accommodation damages the reputation of the islands.

The tourism ministry is in the process of inspecting all types of accommodation, including holiday rentals (by which one presumes it means registered tourist accommodation and so excludes all apartments save for those officially categorised as tourist apartments). The number of proceedings it is taking in order to tackle deficiencies will not be announced until the end of the season, so around the start of November.

Aptur, meanwhile, is insisting that regulation should give legal certainty for properties without a legal status and for owners who have been demanding this. Estarellas notes that taxes from this legal certainty would contribute to economic development and social equality in the Balearics.

Also in News

As Spain says adios to Golden Visa, Portugal says come on down!

The supermarket chain with the greatest savings in Mallorca

Truck stuck in the Mallorca village of Randa.

Truck gets stuck in Mallorca village

Mallorca holiday paradise vanishing for some German tourists

2 comments

To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in

Bob | over 8 years ago

It's not just "tourist rentals" that need regulating, the great majority of rip - off's and complaints actually come from guests of hotels. Many are sub - standard, with no lifts, dangerous coach access, fake stars, rubbish buffet's and much more. These are the ones that get the most complaints and nothing is ever done about, - it thanks to Biel Barceló and his connections with the conniving Hoteliers Assosiation.

Answer

I like it0

I don't like it0

Steve | over 8 years ago

For those interested, yesterday's UH article translated actually reads : Aptur requests that the Government amend the Balearic Tourist Law as soon as possible, before the growth of this market causes problems. It condemns any offer involving fraud or deception for people who rent any type of holiday accomodation. It also insists that these options are beneficial to the industry, and should be allowed to contribute to the local development sharing the benefits of tourism along with all the rest.The association feels that putting laws in place will avoid problems such as letting sub-standard accomodation lacking necessary equipment, and control overcrowding.

Answer

I like it0

I don't like it0