Figures from the National Statistics Institute show that in February this year there were 25,393 licensed holiday rental properties in the Balearics. Compared with the same month of 2021, these represented a decrease of 8.34% from 27,703. In February 2022 there were 26,458.
Three regions of Spain have experienced decreases - Catalonia and Madrid are the other two - while at national level there was an increase. In February this year, there were 305,136 holiday lets; in 2021 there were 294,698.
In terms of the percentage of all dwellings that were registered as holiday accommodation, the Balearic Islands headed the national list at 4.33% of the total. Second were the Canary Islands with 4.10%. The national average was 1.21%.
The Balearics also had more beds - an average of 6.18 per property, down from 6.32 in 2021. Nationally, the average was 5.06.
By municipality, Pollensa had the most holiday rental properties in the Balearics - 2,923, 67 more than in 2021. Alcudia was second with 1,804 (down from 1,941). Palma ranked fourth with 1,279, a decrease from 1,467 in 2021. Santanyi, Manacor and Felanitx were the three other Mallorcan municipalities in the top ten and each had fewer properties in February 2023 than in 2021.
Other than Pollensa, only six Mallorcan municipalities had increases from 2021 to 2023 - Ariany, Banyalbufar, Vilafranca, Consell, Escorca and Lloseta.
In Catalonia, the decrease in the number of holiday lets may be about to become more significant. Faced with similar issues regarding access to housing as the Balearics, the regional government has proposed legislation that would require urban planning permits. A conservative estimate is that this could lead to the loss of 28,000 holiday accommodation properties. An association representing owners reckons it could be much greater - up to 90,000.
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Lisa JuliaThere's a lot of confusion around this "illegal holiday lets" issue. One government minister claims there's over 200,000 of them, although it's not clear whether she's talking about properties that aren't occupied all year (which can really only be an estimate anyway), assuming they're all illegal holiday lets. In any case, those numbers are so completely implausible that you may as well ignore it. But since you and others have mentioned it, I did a few searches on Airbnb, and you're right... About half don't present their ETV number. And many of those have been in business for a decade or more and have many good reviews. Appearing totally legit and respectable. I find it especially difficult to believe that they can openly operate illegally for more than a decade without some sort of consequences. I have no doubt that some are doing it "under the table", but it seems implausible that it's to the extent that that some would like us to believe. Otherwise just one inspector could easily be daily knocking them off in droves. No licence, no business. It's not complicated. So, for me, the jury is still out. It sure appears that some vital bit of information is missing from this. There's more to this story than we're privy to.
Far easier solution would be simply to get rid of all the illegal holiday lets. Every legal home let requires an ETV with a number. Quick scan on air bnb and half don’t appear to have one. In fact, some ‘illegals’ are still renting out rooms. Now I’m no Miss Marple, but if I can spot them, anyone can. Even, dare I say, the local council or government?? Simples. Of course that’s not to say if these homes were removed from listings holiday websites, they would be rented out. The current legislation gives so much protection to renters and squatters, people are too scared to rent. That could be the real issue? But one for another Andrew investigation.
But, but, but we were told that 36% of all Mallorcan homes are holiday lets! The Guvnm'nt said so!!!