Spanish authorities have issued a warning that homeowners illegally letting out their properties as holiday homes could face fines of up to €5,000 per day (approximately £4,315). The Balearic Government has tightened regulations under the 2012 tourism law, granting island councils greater powers to combat illegal holiday letting, as reported by the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
New Measures Target Continued Marketing
The new measures specifically target situations where owners of illegal lets continue to market their properties while undergoing sanctioning procedures. Investigations can take months or even years to resolve. Under the updated rules, once a cease-and-desist order is issued, refusal to stop the activity can result in daily fines ranging from €500 to €5,000 until the illegal marketing ceases.
Legal Consequences Toughened
The reform also strengthens legal repercussions. If marketing persists after inspectors have issued two notifications of these fines, the case will be referred to the Prosecutor's Office, potentially leading to criminal disobedience charges. These daily fines are independent of the main penalty for illegal tourist marketing and can be accumulated without replacing existing penalties.
Penalties have been increased by 25%, with fines reaching up to €5,000 for minor infractions, €50,000 for serious infractions, and a maximum of €500,000 for very serious cases.
Incentive for Compliance
The government has introduced an incentive: if illegal marketing stops and the property is made available for affordable renting under government schemes, fines can be reduced by up to 80%.
