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Manilva Council, in an effort to tackle housing shortages has enacted a bylaw suspending licenses for tourist accommodations In what they call “tense areas” for three years. Urbanism Councillor Juan Carlos Morejón said that the measure puts residents’ access to affordable housing first with the current boom in short-term rentals.
The town now has 2,809 tourist homes that provide 14,877 beds. This was a result of a severe lack of hotels in the area, a tourism boom and repurposing urban developments to holiday purposes. The proposal was first proposed in March and incorporated feedback received from the Malaga College of Architects in the public review. It was approved by a recent Plenary Session.
New rules for tourism rental licences
Bylaws are being introduced to set “minimum parameters”, which will regulate the impact of tourist housing licenses. The suspension is applicable to urbanisations such as El Hacho and Puerto de la Duquesa.
San Luis de Sabinillas has also been considered for a ban of this nature, due to the increase in tourist properties. At the moment, only Manilva Pueblo allows such rentals.
Now is the time to start the three-year suspension on new licenses
The three-year break will begin immediately and allow time for the development of a framework to guide zoning standards, and a stricter supervision to protect residential housing. Morejón invoked the constitutional right to housing, stating, “It’s not accessible to all; our duty is to protect it and promote long-term rentals for regular homes.” The policy encourages property owners to turn their properties into permanent homes by limiting short-term rental.
He also said that Manilva needed more hotels in order to provide quality tourism services, jobs and reduce the urbanisation burden on tourists. “I’ve missed good hotel here for years,” he said. Major chains showed interest in local sites. The council will facilitate the development of new hotels through institutional means. The council hasn’t said a word about its help in resolving the Manilva squatting problem.
