The man who is accused of restraining his ex-partner in a Torrevieja residence for hours and striking her on the head and stomach will be put on trial on Thursday.

At approximately 11:00 p.m. on November 1st, 2023, the incident happened. After a two-year relationship, the defendant accosted his ex-partner on the street. He secured a cloth sack over her head, covered her mouth, and coerced her into a vehicle operated by an unidentified individual. The vehicle was to transport her to a residence in a nearby housing development.

Upon his arrival, he confined her to one of the house’s rooms and spent the night repeatedly entering and exiting the room in an attempt to physically assault her. The woman was able to escape from the residence at 2:00 p.m. the following day.

The Prosecutor’s Office is requesting an eight-year prison sentence for the offences of unlawful detention, assault, and threats. The trial is scheduled to commence at 9:30 a.m. in Section 1 of the Alicante Provincial Court on Thursday, May 8th.

In the Orihuela district of La Murada, a three-year-old child sustained multiple facial and back injuries as a result of a dog attack.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Calle Antonio Balaguer and Camino de los Almendros slightly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3rd.

The child and his mother had gone to their neighbour’s house across the street to eat and spend the afternoon when the dog emerged from the garage and “hooked” the child, according to witnesses.

The family members’ prompt action in separating the large, mixed-breed dog prevented “a tragedy,” as per the same sources.

It appears that the neighbours have encountered comparable hazardous circumstances in the past; however, they have not culminated in an attack, as they have in this instance, despite the numerous warnings they have issued to the proprietor.

The site was attended to by the local police and Guardia Civil. The SAMU (Safety and Emergency Medical Service) was dispatched by the Emergency Information and Coordination Centre, which received the call at 2:38 p.m. A Basic Life Support unit was mobilised and conveyed the child to the Orihuela health centre upon the medical team’s arrival, as the child appeared to have sustained some scratches.

Until recently, any owner was able to convert their property into a tourist flat by obtaining the corresponding regional or local tourist licence. However, this has been altered: Since April 3rd, 2025, tourist rentals are automatically prohibited in all residential communities. Only a specific agreement at a meeting can authorise it.

This is a significant reform of the Horizontal Property Law, as it now grants residents’ associations legal control over this activity. The new Article 17.12, which has entirely altered the previous legal framework regarding tourist apartments, is the critical factor.

What is the new legislation regarding visitor apartments?

The following is established by the new Article 17.12 of the Horizontal Property Law:

“The express agreement that authorises, restricts, conditions, or prohibits the activity (…) will necessitate the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the total number of owners, who, in turn, represent three-fifths of the participation quotas.”

Therefore, without the community’s prior consent, no proprietor will be able to rent out their property for tourist purposes. Only the explicit consent of a qualified majority can lift the comprehensive prohibition.

The primary modification is that the agreement no longer prohibits it, but now permits it.
Tourist rentals were permissible prior to April 3rd, 2025, unless the community agreed to prohibit them at a meeting.
Tourist rentals are prohibited as of April 3, 2025, unless the community explicitly authorises them with the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the total number of proprietors and members. In other words, the burden of proof is reversed: authorisation is now necessary rather than prohibition.

What if there are already tourist rentals in flats?

The reform does not have a retroactive effect. This implies that proprietors who were already legitimately conducting their enterprises prior to April 3, 2025, and who were registered under tourism regulations, are permitted to continue doing so. This clause is specified in the second supplementary provision of the law.

Nevertheless, the community may also consent to a surcharge of up to 20% on common expenditures for those homes, as a form of compensation for the increased use of common areas, with a 3/5 majority.

What is the function of the bylaws of a neighbourhood community?

The constitutive document or the community statutes are indispensable. This prohibition is fully enforceable and remains in place if they already contain a clause that expressly prohibits tourist use or any commercial activity, as confirmed by the Supreme Court in rulings of 2023 and 2024.

The community can also stop the activity immediately if the statutes change the usage regime, even without new ballots.

What happens if a landowner disregards the regulations and rents out their property without authorisation?

In that event, the community is entitled to request that the activity be ceased. The president, any proprietor, or even an affected occupant may initiate the procedure. If the offender persists, the community may pursue legal action.

Is there any additional requirement for renting a property for tourist purposes, in addition to community approval?

The owner is still required to acquire the appropriate tourist licence in accordance with regional or municipal regulations, although the community has authorised the activity. This administrative permit is essential, but it is insufficient to initiate the activity; community authorisation is required.