EU2019 Award

Ferienvermietung auf Mallorca (Teil 1)

Imagine you are spending your vacation on the picturesque island of Mallorca and have chosen a luxurious holiday apartment or holiday apartment booked online. Suddenly there is a knock on the door and an official-looking person asks you questions:

  • Do you know the owner of the apartment personally?
  • Which platform did you use to book the holiday apartment?

Now imagine that you are the owner of this apartment and you receive a letter accusing you of renting out your property illegally, without the required license – and you have to pay a fine of between 3,000 and 30,000 euros or even more calculate. This is the reality of many affected by the Conselleria de Turismo de Mallorca’s campaign against illegal holiday rentals.

So when you hand over the keys to your property in Mallorca, trust should come first. Check the legal requirements and make sure you have all the necessary permits to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Why rent a second house?

As a law-abiding citizen, you might think this sounds completely reasonable. But dig a little deeper and you will understand the frustration, anger and confusion suffered by those affected. Generating rental income from second homes abroad is a much-hyped topic, with tempting sums of money being floated – so it’s no surprise that many buyers here plan to rent out when they’re not using their property. But it is important to get expert legal clarification first.

Renting your property in Mallorca

Learn how to maximize your rental income by preparing your property for tourists and adding additional luxuries that today’s discerning travelers are looking for.

How do I get a rental license?

In Mallorca the situation seems somewhat unclear. The letters sent by the Conselleria to „offenders“ refer to the need for a license for commercial holiday accommodation. But how do you get one? You can’t, in one woman’s experience. Without knowing that she was breaking the law, she rented out her holiday apartment in a residential complex in Bendinat, successfully managed her rental properties on the Internet and took 2,000 euros per week in high season. Income was reported and taxes were paid. Then she and five other owners in her complex received the „letter.“ Lawyers were consulted and steps were taken to obtain the said license – to no avail. These owners understand that licensing ensures appropriate regulation of, for example, safety issues and would pay the appropriate license fee.

Trusted lawyers in Mallorca

It is worth taking the time to find the right lawyer for your needs in Spain.

Continue to part 2