Most of the ads that are subject to blocking do not specify the license number, or do not indicate whether the owner is an individual or a legal entity, the Ministry of Consumer Protection said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the Madrid Supreme Court has ordered the removal of 5,800 ads.
Airbnb is appealing this decision, a company representative said, as the ministry does not have the authority to take such actions, and it has not provided a list of facilities that do not meet the requirements.According to an Airbnb representative, some of these facilities are seasonal and not intended for tourists.The Spanish government, as well as city councils and regional authorities, have launched a large-scale crackdown on rental housing through sites such as Airbnb and Booking. According to many Spaniards, ad platforms contribute to excessive tourism, reduce the supply of housing and make rental unaffordable for locals.
The housing issue has become a serious problem in Spain, as construction has not kept pace with demand since the real estate bubble burst more than 15 years ago.According to official data, as of November last year, there were about 321,000 apartments and houses for daily rent in Spain, which is 15% more than in 2020.Many landlords do not have official licenses.
Source: Reuters
