Spain Cracks Down on Unlicensed Holiday Rentals

Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry has launched an investigation into a holiday rental platform for not removing illegal rental ads. The platform, which remains unnamed, faces a fine as part of broader efforts to regulate the tourism rental market and address concerns of overtourism and rental inflation.

Spain's Consumer Rights Ministry announced on Tuesday that it has initiated an investigation against a holiday rental platform over allegations of illegally advertised listings. The unidentified platform had been directed to remove thousands of these ads for not including the necessary tourist property licence numbers.

The ministry's General Directorate for Consumer Rights sought details about holiday apartments available on this platform as early as June. However, after verifying non-compliance, a disciplinary action has been launched. The non-compliance could result in the platform facing fines reaching up to 100,000 euros or multiple times the profits accrued from the unethical practice.

This investigation is part of a larger clampdown on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, which are often criticized for exacerbating the overtourism problem and inflating rental prices. Both Airbnb and Booking.com have yet to comment on the situation.

(With inputs from agencies.)