Hard blow to Airbnb: 65 thousand listings to be removed!

The Spanish government has launched a comprehensive audit process targeting the short-term housing rental platform Airbnb. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has decided to remove 65,935 listings across the country that do not comply with regulations. Violations identified in these listings include missing license numbers, failure to specify the host's status, and inconsistencies between the listings and official records. This step was taken following growing public backlash against the housing crisis and rising rental prices, particularly in major cities.

Barcelona has taken one of the most notable steps in this regard, announcing that by 2028, 10,000 short-term licensed rental apartments in the city will be completely removed and these housing units will be allocated to permanent residents.

Minister of Consumer Affairs Pablo Bustinduy stated in his announcement that this move aims to combat "lack of control" and "illegality." Bustinduy said, "There are no more excuses. We must stop protecting those who turn the right to housing in our country into a business."

The ministry, which announced that 5,800 listings were removed immediately in the first phase, reported that a total of 65,935 listings will be deleted with two new orders. It was noted that this implementation specifically targets tourist regions such as Madrid, Andalusia, and Catalonia.

Airbnb, however, opposes these decisions. The company stated that it had been warned previously but had challenged this decision in court. The High Court of Madrid upheld the government's decision. An Airbnb spokesperson argued that no evidence had been provided that hosts were violating rules and claimed the decision was contrary to both EU and Spanish laws. The company stated that the root cause of the housing crisis in Spain is a lack of supply, saying, "The solution is to build more housing. Everything else is a distraction." It also emphasized that such measures victimize local families who make a living by renting out their homes.

News Source: 12punto