This provision in the decree will allow island councils and town halls to act against illegal lets; tourism inspectors will be empowered to seal off properties.
The government also wants local police forces to be involved in the inspection work. Vice-president Antoni Costa said on Tuesday that a decree amendment to this effect will be presented.
Responding to the decree, Marc Pons of the opposition PSOE expressed doubts as to whether this will be possible. Only a court can order the sealing-off of a property.
Illegal holiday lets are just one issue covered in a wide-ranging decree by which 46 laws are being partially or substantially modified. These include laws for nature conservation, environmental impact study, waste and roads. Among other specifics is that island councils will be given the possibility of privatising ITV (MOT) inspections.
Pons said that the decree represents a return to the urban planning model of the 1980s and demonstrates government hypocrisy. While there is talk of setting limits, the decree approves development measures "like never before". "It's nonsense."
Costa insisted that administrative streamlining will not mean that there will be more lack of control - "quite the opposite." There are, he noted, sustainability measures regarding the water cycle, energy transition and more efficient management of tourism regulations.
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JamesGood luck with it, I know of 2 property's near us (old town) that have been closed down by local police and are now on long term let's instead.
JamesWell, that's a good sign. The owners are probably getting ripped to shreds by the authorities now. The fines are huge, then there's back taxes and penalties... It's not pretty. Nonetheless, if it's been taken down from airbnb, then most likely any future bookings have been cancelled. Also, Airbnb by far generates the most bookings for holiday lets in Mallorca, so if they're not listed on airbnb, then their chances of getting bookings is greatly diminished. I don't know why the government has such problems weeding them out. Theoretically it shouldn't be difficult at all. They certainly have lots of motivation to take them down (including collecting the fines) But I suspect there's more to it than we're privy to. Probably some obscure laws get in the way of it somehow. Like getting rid of squatters (which also should be easy, but it's not).
Morgan WilliamsThanks, I saw that just recently the Airbnb listing and the broker profile had become inactive. We've been trying multiple avenues so perhaps contacting Airbnb, the HOA, the broker directly, etc finally had an impact...at least temporarily. Before the Airbnb site was removed I saw they still had the next few months booked out and short term renters are still coming and going so unfortunately it hasn't slowed them down much.
Per TouretteI can try that one but I was told that email is no longer used and to use this one instead: lloguerturisticpalma@conselldemallorca.net. Someone did visit the building last year after they were contacted but no one from the flat answered the door when they showed up. They only tried that once and never visited again and the owner has continued to rent it out.
I'm betting it will never happen. Anyone?
JamesIs there a name associated with it? Like "Can Party" or something? Put a link to the Airbnb listing here. Let me take a look, and maybe bring it to some useful attention.
JamesHave you tried reporting them via bustiainspeccioturisme@dgoturis.caib.es
My neighbor is illegally renting their flat and we've been dealing with all the problems from the short term renters - loud music, throwing garbage from their balcony, noises throughout the night. We've tried to contact the authorities and they have done nothing. It's been blatantly advertised on Airbnb for years and no actions taken. If the police are now required to be involved in enforcing illegal lets that would be a big help in getting someone involved that might actually do something.