You might want to double check if you have an AirB&B reserved in Spain.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/airbnb-rental-listings-blocked-in-spain-violations/?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c615600ae150759ebb2a
I know there are two camps on renting vacation housing. Personally, I won’t rent anything that has the potential to be a long term rental and applaud cities both in the States and abroad for working g to secure affordable housing foe their residents.
I saw that earlier and had to make a mental check to see if I was using anything through Air Bnb on my upcoming trip. Nope. Just hotels.
However I do use it from time to time, depending on the country. As you say, there are two camps, but
anything that has the potential to be a long term rental
I see no way to determine this other than to follow the laws of the country. In Budapest, for example, there has been a crack down and while there may still be a few illegal rentals, now most have their license # in the listing. Apartments are following the Hungarian law.
I think what I support is each country making their own laws and me following them. But it’s a good time to check what you have planned in Spain beginning soon.
I stopped using AirBnB when all the tasks and cleaning duties escalated, along with multiple added charges tacked on left and right. I also find their ratings system worthless (everybody is a five).
But I applaud the Spanish government for taking action, and even for AirBnB for cooperating and doing some enforcement (A somewhat new approach for them in most places).
Of course, AirBnB is not the only player, But I see less abuse through Booking.Com and VRBO. Also, while in some areas short term lets are a bigger issue, they probably are not the major issue with housing in Spain. Simple inflation, spot shortages, and affordability loom much larger.
It's unfortunate that AirBnB doesn't require hosts to include their checkout procedures (aka "clean the apartment, even though you paid $100 cleaning fee") in the listing. This would surely help that particular bait and switch problem. I am both a user and a host, and my guests are always surprised when they ask what they need to do before they leave and my response is "lock the door."
I think what I support is each country making their own laws and me following them.
Very well said, TexasTravelMom. :-)
I don't use Airbnbs a lot but sometimes they can be convenient. And if they're legally allowed, I might consider renting one, and in fact, have done so for an upcoming trip (but not in Spain). One approach I like is to allow short-term rentals, but tax them more nd then use the taxes to build more housing. I think that was Scotland's agenda a few years ago, although I'm not sure how that's working.
