At a press conference, Mayor José Hila was accompanied by the administration's spokesperson, Alberto Jarabo, the councillor for housing, Neus Truyol, and the councillor for welfare, Antoni Noguera, who was mayor at the time of the ban being approved in 2018. Hila said that the prohibition "protects residents in terms of access to housing against speculation by owners" but he called on the Council of Mallorca to strengthen its tourism inspection department in order to clamp down on illegal holiday letting.
"The department currently doesn't have either the mechanisms or the agility necessary to stop the illegal offer. We are demanding legislation that will allow more inspection efficiency, tougher sanctions and procedures to be expedited more quickly."
Truyol pointed out that the ban is to be extended. Under the revised urban plan for the city, which is due to be given final approval this year, it will also apply to townhouse and semi-detached properties. This is because in certain areas of the city, e.g. Santa Catalina and Son Espanyolet, there are already a significant number of such properties that are dedicated to tourist letting.
Meanwhile, the Habtur holiday rentals association in the Balearics, which challenged the ban and gained a favourable judgement by the Balearic High Court (now overturned by the Supreme Court), is critical of the ruling. "It is based on a false premise that tourist rentals generate housing problems. This has been demonstrated, as prices to rent have not dropped while there are no more homes available."
In advocating "the rights of citizens", the president of Habtur, María Gibert, said on Wednesday that "everyone should be able to do what they want with their home, without disturbing or causing harm to neighbours". They should be allowed to rent out "within the legal framework and with all the guarantees".
7 comments
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Stephen PerrimanTourism in Mallorca is booming and there's little evidence that's going to change anytime soon. It's a highly desirable destination. Has it all. Beauty, infrastructure, quality accommodation, great dining, entertainment. What's not to like? (other than 6 quid). With that in pocket, is it unreasonable to expect that elevating it away from cheapness is an undesirable strategy? Low quality, illegal holiday lets are problematic. Scams, crappy accommodation, under the table cash... This is not good. Ironically, Brits seem to be attracted to cheapness, yet complain when they get duped. It may not suit some. But that's not Mallorca's problem. It's a problem for those seeking a cheap thrill. We'd like to eliminate that. Is that so bad?
Ulla JacksonI've had a number of properties let out for over 25 years and never had anything trashed. If you have to get someone out for not paying rent then a good lawyer will do this for you.
Zoltan TeglasThat is not irrelevant at all. The point was it's shortage of housing for Local people, and they want long term let. And that will not happen as you as a owner want to be able to use it when in Mallorca, and if you have locals renting you can't get them out, if they refuse leaving. Regarding make no sense if flats are empty. As long as people pay their taxes etc. it is certainly up to them to use them as they see fit, and whether you think it makes no sense, it's totally irrelevant. And I believe that most are cautious who they let their flats to, noone wants it trashed!
Ulla JacksonThat's irrelevant, it's about stopping illegal holiday lets. You should try living in a block where there are tourists having parties till 5am and you have to get up at 7am. Not much fun! And there are no laws stopping people renting out flats long term. Leaving flats empty benefits no one and makes no sense.
Zoltan TeglasI doubt very much it will benefit any locals, as these flats will just stay empty. Until the legislation will be in favour of the owners letting flats or houses to locals, nothing will happens.
Stephen PerrimanBecause they want to stop illegal holiday lets in Palma, that no one, apart from the non tax paying owners of those flats, wants?
Seems like Palma and Majorca in general wants to kill off its tourist industry completely. Soon there will be plenty of accommodation for all the unemployed after the tourist industry has been killed off by this illiterate council and government and all the 2nd and holiday home owners have sold up and left the island. Then Majorca will be back to being a poor sparsely populated island as in the 1950’s where all the young people emigrated to find work never to return!