Spain is to reform its property law to allow neighbours in the same building to block other owners from renting out apartments to tourists, with a requirement for permission from three-fifths of the building’s owners before renting on platforms like Airbnb.
The reform, announced by Housing Minister Isabel Rodriguez, aims to give power to neighbours to approve short-term rentals in their buildings, addressing the rising housing prices and stress on the rental market.
The government plans to regulate other forms of short-term rentals to prevent abuse in the market and provide security to those in need of such accommodations.
Housing market stress in areas with seasonal tourism like the Balearic Islands, has led to extreme measures such as locals living in tents or vehicles due to unaffordable housing costs. Local politicians claim that eliminating tourist apartments will help alleviate the housing crisis, such as the proposal in Barcelona to stop short term rentals by 2028.
