Many young people in Spain are finding it increasingly challenging to achieve independence, as the acquisition or rental of a property has become an unattainable luxury. Issues have significantly impacted the rental market for years. Prices continue to rise as the supply of apartments decreases.
The absence of stability is an additional factor. Some occupants are perpetually concerned about the possibility of their rent being increased without notification or their contract being terminated. On April 3rd, 2025, a reform to the Horizontal Property Law was implemented, which altered the regulations regarding tourist rentals in residential community structures.
A property may no longer be used for vacation rentals without the express consent of the community, which must be granted by a qualified majority of three-fifths of the owners. This modification provides residents with a greater degree of autonomy in determining the terms of their short-term rentals.
The objective is to mitigate the issues of pollution, overtourism, and a scarcity of housing for local residents. Additionally, the regulations permit communities to levy supplementary fees (up to 20%) on tourist apartments to compensate for the heightened wear and tear on common areas that result from short-term accommodations.
Parallel to this, the government has established the Digital One-Stop Rentals Window, a state registry that will centralise and verify tourists’ and short-term rentals, thereby ensuring legal compliance with this new regulation and combating fraud.
Additionally, the government intends to re-establish the residential market through this new reform. The objective is to prioritise the use of properties as principal residences, thereby facilitating the acquisition of housing for individuals who are in search of long-term rentals.
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