Airbnb has withdrawn more than 65,000 vacation rental listings from its platform following an order from the Spanish government, according to the country’s consumer rights ministry. According to the ministry, the listings did not comply with current regulations. The ministry has also identified tens of thousands of other illegal listings, Reuters reported today.
Government crackdown on illegal rentals
The Spanish government, together with municipal and regional authorities, has launched a widespread crackdown on tourist accommodation offered through websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com. The ministry said in a statement that the crackdown only confirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the law and guaranteeing the constitutional right to housing over the profits of large international companies.
Most of the blocked Airbnb listings did not include a license number. Others did not specify whether the owner was a natural or legal person, according to the ministry, which ordered their removal at the end of May.
More unlicensed listings and public protests
The ministry also identified another 54,728 listings that did not include a license number. Operators have been required to do so under a new law that took effect on July 1. Airbnb has not yet responded to a request for comment from Reuters. The removal of the listings followed repeated attempts by Airbnb to overturn the decision in court. The company claimed that the ministry did not have the authority to decide on short-term rentals and that it had not provided sufficient evidence.
According to many Spaniards, these platforms create excessive tourism and contribute to local residents no longer being able to afford to rent housing. In recent months, tens of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets to protest against rising housing and rental costs. During protests in Barcelona in June, for example, locals complained about the destruction of local communities and the worsening housing crisis.
Source: ČTK
