Buenavista del Norte Finds 70% of Vacation Rentals Non-Compliant in New Audit
A review by the Buenavista del Norte City Council has revealed that 70% of local vacation rentals fail to meet legal requirements, prompting a crackdown to ensure compliance with regional regulations.
A recent review by the Buenavista del Norte City Council has uncovered widespread irregularity in the town’s vacation rental sector. According to the council's Municipal Verification and Control Plan, seven out of ten vacation rentals are currently failing to meet administrative or legal requirements. This high rate of non-compliance highlights the long-standing struggle to align local tourist activity with Canary Islands regulations.
The ongoing four-year study is examining 107 properties. So far, the council has confirmed that only 32 meet all necessary criteria, such as filing the required declarations and obtaining favorable technical reports. Conversely, 59 properties are operating without having submitted any documentation to the council—a situation officials blame on a lack of coordination between different government levels.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to comply with Law 6/2025, which mandates the regularization of all vacation homes by August 13. The council is coordinating its Urban Planning, Local Police, and legal departments to conduct everything from database checks to on-site inspections. Priority will be given to properties that pose safety risks, violate urban planning rules, or have triggered complaints from neighbors.
The council has the authority to issue a range of penalties, including orders to fix errors, mandates to cease operations, and referrals to the Tax Agency. However, the plan currently lacks a dedicated budget and a fixed annual schedule, meaning operations will depend on the existing capacity of the departments involved.
This project serves as a testing ground for regional regulations. By the end of the four-year period, the City Council must submit a report detailing the number of inspections, sanctions issued, and the overall progress in restoring legal compliance. This transparency will ultimately determine whether the current administrative framework is capable of effectively regulating a market that has largely operated without oversight.