OPINION | We can Xàbia
The moratorium on tourist rental permits is a step in the right direction. What is not understood is the duration of only 6 months. So that there are not so many tourists in November and February and new licenses can be granted in full for the summer of 2025?
Seriously, more than 6000 tourist accommodations is too high a number for Xàbia, but this is not the only problem. If we multiply the 6000 accommodations by – let’s say – 6 occupants and add the 30.000 registered inhabitants, we arrive at 66.000 people, not even half of the estimated 150.000 that the municipality supports each summer.
What other aspects should be taken into account? There are undoubtedly also many holiday rental properties that are not registered and more control is needed.
But we must also finally include in this account, and even though it hurts, the construction of apartments and chalets, those that are not for rent. In summer, the owners, their children and friends come with every right in the world to their homes and enjoy their holidays and the summer. This means that each apartment, terraced house or chalet that is being built contributes to overcrowding and touristification. And no, these buildings will not be homes: a look at Idealista.com reveals that of the first (= “cheapest”) 50 rental apartments only 3 are for the whole year: two studios (= for 1 person) for €600 and €800 respectively, and a 2-bedroom apartment for €900. Something similar happens with the apartments for sale, which start at €120.000 for a studio (= 1 person). In other words, they are NOT building homes, but a tourist park.
It is true that construction in Xàbia creates wealth, but it also destroys wealth: environmental, cultural, social cohesion and quality of life. In addition, it has shown in recent decades that it does not solve the problem of access to affordable housing, as demonstrated by the current situation in Xàbia. The only solution to this problem is, as has been demonstrated in other EU countries, public housing. The paradigm of affordable housing is Vienna (almost 2 million inhabitants), where around a third of housing is public and where people still pay €70 for a 500 m² flat in the city centre (with an average salary almost double that of Spain!)*. Just like here.
I am the owner of a tourist rental property. At first I rented it out without a licence, so no invoice, no declaration to the tax office, I have never had any problems with the administration. In the end, with all these new laws, I applied for a licence, they gave it to me without any problems. I have never had any type of inspection by the City Council technicians to see under what conditions I rent my property, nor have they lost any of those documents they say. What are they talking about now? I have another property, I am going to rent it out without a licence, they don't even look at it.