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Date Published: 04/11/2024

Málaga bans new tourist accommodation in 43 neighbourhoods

New licences will be refused in areas of Málaga where holiday homes account for more than 8% of total properties

In a bold move to preserve the city's residential character, Málaga has become the latest region in Spain to put a halt to new licences for tourist accommodation.

Last week, the City Council introduced a groundbreaking amendment to the General Plan (PGOU) which will restrict the registration of new apartments and houses aimed specifically at the holiday let market in no fewer than 43 neighbourhoods. The plan will target areas deemed to be already saturated with tourist accommodation with the aim, first and foremost, of protecting the rights of local residents.

A comprehensive study by Espacio Común Coop reveals that tourist rentals have become a dominant force in Málaga's residential landscape, with more than 11,500 properties registered in the Andalucían Tourism Register (RTA).

This has led to a surge in long-term rental prices, a worrying trend that is repeated up and down the country, as well as a decline in vacant properties. In turn, this means that there are fewer and fewer homes available for year-round residents.

According to the regional government, in many parts of the Costa del Sol, the concentration of tourist lets has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, threatening the very fabric of the city's neighbourhoods.

The solution the council has come up with is to ban the registration of new tourist licences in 43 districts where short-term holiday homes account for more than 8% of the total residential stock available. In a further 328 neighbourhoods, only tourist accommodations that have independent entrances and services may be registered.

How will it work?

To address this issue, Málaga City Council has established three distinct zones, each with its own set of rules and regulations.

Zone 1, the ‘decreasing zone’, comprises 43 neighbourhoods where tourist properties already exceed 8% of the total residential stock. In these areas, no new tourist accommodations will be permitted.

The decreasing zone includes the historic centre, El Ejido, La Merced, Lagunillas, Capuchinos, El Molinillo, Baños del Carmen, Martiricos, Torre del Río and Pacífico, among others.

Zone 2, the ‘restricted growth zone’, includes 32 districts with a registration rate between 4.53% and 8%. Here, only tourist properties with separate entrances and services will be allowed, up to a maximum of 8%.

The restricted growth zone includes Mármoles, Perchel Sur, Huelin and La Princesa, among others.

Zone 3, the ‘growth zone’, consists of 296 neighbourhoods with a registration rate below 4.53%, where new tourist properties can be freely registered, provided they have separate entrances and services.

Málaga City Council will conduct regular reviews of the maximum number of tourist properties in each neighbourhood. The first review will take place a year after the rules come into force, with subsequent revisions occurring at a maximum interval of four years.

In addition, the regulations introduced in June requiring all newly-registered holiday homes to have independent facilities and amenities to the rest of the building remain in force.

This means that new tourist properties will be required to have separate entrances, exits and amenities such as plumbing and electrical systems, to prevent disruptions to long-term residents.

In other news: Helping those affected by the DANA storms in Spain: A guide to donations, food collections and support

Image: Pixabay

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