By David Jackson
Tourism inspectors are collecting evidence on unlicensed rental properties ready for a future crackdown, after only 60 rental apartments in the province registered onto the new Registro de Viviendas Turísticas in its first week of operation.
The new law came into force last Wednesday May 11. Owners of private homes which are used for short term lets are now required to register their homes with the regional government, and certify that they are up to code. Once they are accepted, they are issued with a unique registration number which must be quoted in all advertising.
The Junta de Andalucía admitted to “a slow start”, but a source within the ministry warned Costa Almería News: “Our inspectors are compiling lists of unlicensed rental apartments advertised online. We are dedicating a significant amount of this year’s inspection capability to rental properties.”
It is not known how many such properties exist in Almería, although a survey carried out by a property portal last year suggested more than 3,000 properties could be found online.
