CSN News: Spain’s battle against tourist apartments continues as a new law is set to take effect this week.

The Community Property Owners Associations will be able to exercise a veto on Thursday over the use of homes as tourist accommodations.

The policy of allowing tourist rentals to be established in apartment blocks without the need for neighbours’ permission has been reversed.

The Horizontal Property Law will be amended to require that owners obtain approval from their owners’ association in addition to obtaining a tourist permit to legally charge rental.

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A community could not retroactively change the use of property for tourism until this week. They needed a majority of three-fifths at a public meeting.

The law change makes it clear that ‘prior’ and ‘express’ authorisation will now be needed.

Julia Martinez Torres told the El Mundo Newspaper: “This was necessary in order to avoid tensions and coexistence, and this is an important step in the approval or disapproval of this economic activity on a residential property.”

Last year, protests were held in several Spanish capitals over the rapid growth of unlicensed tourist apartments.

It has fueled property price increases, and a number cities have implemented or plan to implement moratoriums of any new licenses. They also intend to clamp down on illegal renting.

Malaga’s mayor, Paco de la Torre last week announced a three-year ‘global moratorium’ on new tourist flat licenses in addition to restrictions introduced last year.

A fresh protest over ‘tourist saturation is scheduled to take place in Malaga on Saturday.

Barcelona will cease issuing tourist accommodation licences in 2028.

Along with the moratorium, there will be more inspections. The fines for violators will also increase. There may even be more extreme measures such as cutting off utilities at unlicensed holiday apartments.