Is renting your house as a holiday let still a viable option? Part three – - Page 2

Thank you so much. That is really helpful.

If I can ever be of assistance to you I will be happy to help also.

Tell your old neighbour in England who is probably glad you live in Spain.

Davebev1. I have recent inquiries from many "short-term" persons, 1 week or 2. Not knowing (but accepting your advice), it seems to me (is it? airbnb?) seem to advertise & many clients recieving & enjoying this area without licenses, etc. They are obviously blatently displayed on the internet for all to see. With your previous good advice, what sort of control is employed, by whom & by what? Villas

Hi

There are channels for reporting adverts but, as ever in Spain, it isn't that simple - see below.  However if you believe a property in your vicinity is being let illegally for holiday purposes then you can report it while it is occupied to the Guardia Civil - but please, if you are on a community then go to the administrator first and ask them to contact the owner to check.  If you have the owners contact details yourself then ask them for the number and ask to see their certificate too.  The plaque can be displayed inside rather than outside so may not be visible from outside.  (In our case we have a small, fairly discreet sign on the outside near the main door with our web site and license number but the official plaque is inside.)  Strictly speaking both the President and the administrator should already know which properties have a license, so if neither of them are aware of the property having a license and the owners do not reply when contacted, you could then report it.  

To report adverts is more complex.  You need to send a letter (only in Spanish) to 

Jefatura de los Servicios Territoriales de Turismo, Calle Churruca, 03003 Alicante

Include a photos etc as evidence (copy of adverts or screenshot), details of the property, if you have the owners name then include that and anything else you think will be helpful  If the evidence is in English then attached a translation.  You must sign the letter and send a copy of your NIE and passport and you need to send it via registered post.

I have no idea what happens after that as I have never done this.

Facebook posts can be reported to Facebook but they are not likely to do anything about it because Facebook don't care.  I reported one on Booking to Booking that I know doesn't have a license but it is still being advertised.  There is an Estate Agent that advertises on the forum and does holiday lets as well that lets properties that are supposedly "in the process" of getting a license according to their ads, but that doesn't make them legal either.  The law is still widely flouted but people are being caught up with and I have heard of several large fines and demands for unpaid tax.  The more people report illegal holiday lettings the more the word will get out that it just isn't worth the risk and they will reduce.

Whenever I see people asking for holiday lets on local facebook pages I always say to ensure that any property they rent has a license.  I explain why this is important.  I have been verbally abused in comments from other page members on several occasions for 'interfering' with another's person's business or 'making the renter pay extra'!  (As our own property is fully let or occupied by us I am not touting for business as I don't have any short-notice vacancies!)  Again, more people need to be commenting about the need for things to be done legally if they see these types of posts.  At least, here on this forum, the message is clear about doing things correctly.

'As from 9th July 2018 all new applications will first need a certificate of compatibility from the local Town Hall.  There are over 500 Town Halls and it is likely each one will set their own criteria!  I have been told my Town Hall is estimating a waiting time of 2 months, but I suspect few Town Halls would have been ready on time, generally things get organised after the requirement has started!

Inspections have finally started too, which were not set up until recently in most areas, so more waiting while you take your turn in the queue for someone to check over the property before your licence is issued'.

Dear Davebev,

I have read all your information with interest and appreciation but I am still trying to work out how I obtain a Certificate of Compatibilty from the local Town Hall. From what I understand, I need one before I apply for a Tourist Licence but I haven't seen any paper work relating to a property inspection. I have the form for the Tourist Licence so I know that it asks for a Certificate of Compatibility. Any help on this matter will be gratefully received.

Yes, you need to go along to the Town Hall to obtain the Certificate first.  You cannot now apply for the license without that.  Depending on where you are will depend on how quick or easy it is to obtain - some Town Halls are not even accepting anymore applications, some accepting them but taking many months to process them and others are issuing them fairly quickly.  So best to visit your own Town Hall to find out the local situation.