The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030 has opened an investigation into potential unfair commercial practices related to tourist accommodations that are operating without a licence and advertising in Spain through digital platforms specialised in tourist rentals. The investigation was launched after identifying a significant number of this type of accommodation in different Spanish cities that were operating without a licence, which would constitute an unfair practice, based on the General Law for the Defence of Consumers and Users.
According to the Directorate General for Consumer Affairs, these activities could ‘generate injury or risk to the interests of consumers and users on a widespread basis’. For this reason, it has been decided to launch this investigation with the aim of protecting consumers and users. To this end, requests have been sent to the main tourist rental platforms in order to obtain information on the properties advertised. The Ministry led by Pablo Bustinduy is placing special emphasis on the activity and responsibility of large landlords or companies dedicated to the management of a significant number of tourist flats in various autonomous communities and which could be engaging in unfair commercial practices based on Article 47 of the General Law for the Defence of Consumers and Users.
With the information obtained, the possibility of opening sanctioning proceedings will be studied, which may be classified as serious infringements with fines of up to €100,000, and may exceed this amount up to four to six times the illicit benefit obtained.
Source of the information: Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030.