Saturday, September 7, 2024 Spain has faced a surge of protests this summer as locals express frustration over the increasing influx of tourists, leading to mounting tensions. The situation has reached a tipping point due to the widespread issue of illegal holiday rentals, with authorities taking stringent measures to address the problem. In Seville, the local government has launched a crackdown on landlords illegally renting out properties to tourists.
The city’s mayor’s office announced that it is currently reviewing all holiday apartments and has enlisted the state-run water company, Emasesa, to cut off the water supply to properties violating the regulations. This decisive move is aimed at curbing the proliferation of short-term lets, which have sparked outrage among residents. So far, water has been shut off for six holiday apartments, but the city believes there could be up to 5,000 illegal rentals in addition to the 10,000 that are officially licensed.
Many of the affected property owners are based in the U.S., raising concerns about the broader impact of the crackdown.
Officials have clarified that water will only be restored once property owners prove their apartments are being used for legitimate residential purposes. Since the review began, 715 apartments have been flagged for non-compliance with the 2022 regulations, which require that holiday rentals above the first floor have a separate entrance. The mayor’s office in Seville estimates that there are between 5,000 and 7,000 illegal holiday rentals currently operating, while approximately 8,000 to 9,000 are following the regulations.
A proposed bill aims to ban new licenses for holiday rentals in Seville’s historic old town and the iconic Triana district, signaling a broader effort to protect local communities..
