Query on securing a tourist license for rentals (Altea)

I very much doubt the seller would apply for this, the time period taken, as you have stated, could be up to 12 months so why would they bother? It would delay their sale and there’s not even a guarantee that the licence will be granted. They would most likely keep the house on the market and wait for offers from elsewhere?

I’d advise you look for a property that already has the live  me ce in place

Thanks Steve.   Makes sense what you’re saying.  Entirely likely that the seller will wait for another buyer sans this requirement.   As such, as great a house as it is, I am still actively looking.

A good solicitor can check if the property meets requirements and check there are no local restrictions that would prevent applying for one, and that can all be done prior to committing to the purchase. 

A Tourist License is required for all holiday/tourism/leisure lettings, regardless of whether one night or 89 nights. The fines are huge if caught holiday letting without a License.

Whilst Airbnb have tried to make themselves the 'go to' site for rentals, it is one I would never use as an owner of a legal holiday let, there are plenty of other options that leave the owner in control of the bookings.

Thank you Dave and very helpful.   Based on your feedback, I will make certain a suitable lawyer / solicitor executes said due diligence prior to putting down any earnest money.    Kind regards.

What are other/better option to control bookings?

Sadly, I noticed that most tourists use airbnb and booking.com.

The ones I'd recommend are Vrbo and HolidayLettings as both offer the chance to turn off 'instant booking' so you have more say in who stays and when.  Both also do a free listing option but you lose about 10% on the rentals (we just charge 10% more than if they booked direct).  Paid for means higher profile though.  Or try SimplyOwners, pre-paid but apart from the payment (they use Stripe) everything else is referred back to the owner to sort, so you stay in control.  We don't use it but I know owners who do and say it is good.  they all have an owners support line as well.

Personally, apart from the free listings on Vrbo and HolidayLettings, we do our own advertising.  We use Costa Blanca Legal Holiday Lets group on facebook, (I'm an admin on there) and loads of other facebook advertising groups too, but the only one I ever really get booking through is that one.  You can also use other forms of social media, just make sure you include your License number in all ads and are clear about pricing.  Useful to have your own property facebook page for information or even a personal website, but as there's a cost involved for hosting then best leave that until you are more established.  You have to be proactive, replying to requests for properties as well as putting up posts about your place.  We already have 7 weeks booked out for next year (reserved 5 so far for ourselves but need to sort more before they are booked up!) and we are pretty much full this year - odd days left (which I'm happy to leave empty) and a month in Nov-Dec, and every booking has been made direct with us, no portals.  So as well as our and family use, we have around 30 weeks of rental bookings for 2024.

Thank you so much for response. Such a useful information!

Is there any chance that you know if it is possible to get a tourist licence in Altea?

We are looking for an apartment near Alicante. We are considering Alicante, Altea and Calpe. We are just not sure where getting a licence might be problematic.

I am based in south Costa Blanca and know which towns do and don't there but not sure for north Costa Blanca.  Best ask on the most local page for that those towns.  I know there are owners on the facebook group in all those places with Licenses.

Altea have put a complete ban on tourist licences for this year, 2024. Estate agents are saying some people have bought property in Calpe and Alicante instead.

Many urbanisations are either limiting the number of tourist properties or not agreeing to any new applications. 

You need to check with both the community and the ayuntamiento if there are any restrictions on the licences, eg Guardamar which is only issuing them to properties in their own grounds or in apartment blocks which are solely for tourist use. Other municipalities are not allowing them on the same floor as apartments occupied by permanent residents.

Do not take the word of the estate agents but check with the ayuntamiento.