Granadilla de Abona Launches Major Audit of Vacation Rentals to Curb Illegal Housing

Granadilla de Abona City Council has launched a major audit of vacation rentals, marking a significant shift in how the south of Tenerife manages tourism. Following a council agreement on July 20, the municipality is introducing new oversight to curb the rapid growth of holiday homes, which currently total nearly 2,000 properties in the area.

This move aligns local policy with the Canary Islands' Law 6/2025. The city’s governing coalition—made up of Coalición Canaria, the Partido Popular, and Vox—has launched a two-year plan, extendable to four, to create an accurate municipal registry. Officials will cross-reference data to categorize properties into three groups: those that are fully registered, those that have notified the council but lack full registration, and those operating illegally without the required permits.

The inspection process will prioritize the most problematic areas, starting with properties on rustic land where tourist activity is prohibited by zoning laws. Next, the council will focus on high-density areas, with El Médano identified as a primary concern due to its high concentration of rentals. A committee representing the Urban Planning, Finance, and Housing departments will review progress every three months to address irregularities before new regional regulations take effect.

Granadilla de Abona is not alone in this effort. Other municipalities, including Santa Cruz de Tenerife, La Laguna, Candelaria, Adeje, and La Guancha, have launched similar initiatives to regain control over residential housing. These actions reflect a growing tension across the islands as local governments work to balance the expansion of vacation rentals with the need to protect the availability of housing for residents.