International Courant
The mayor of the Spanish metropolis of Barcelona has pledged to finish short-term vacationer leases within the metropolis inside 5 years.
Socialist Jaume Collboni advised a information convention that he doesn’t plan to resume the ten,101 vacationer permits granted to landlords after they expire in November 2028.
Mr Collboni mentioned the residences, at present marketed on platforms comparable to Airbnb and Homeaway, would as an alternative be out there to locals.
Politicians who opposed this transfer accused him of undermining property rights.
Mr Collboni mentioned the measure could be “equal to constructing 10,000 new houses”.
Justifying the plan, he mentioned rents had risen by 70% previously decade and had grow to be unaffordable.
“Extra provide of housing is required, and the measures we’re presenting right now are designed to make sure extra provide,” he added.
Barcelona has been battling a restricted housing provide for years.
Politicians blame excessive tourism and town’s rising standing as a expertise middle that pulls international staff.
The brand new development has not stored up with the elevated demand, inflicting costs to rise.
Responding to Mr Collboni’s announcement, some left-wing councilors mentioned 2028 is just too far sooner or later for individuals they consider ought to now go away town.
Janet Sanz requested, “Can we wait till 2028?”
Proper-wing politicians accused Mr Collboni of undermining property rights.
“The Barcelona Metropolis Council can’t resemble the Bolivarian regime,” wrote Dani Sirera, chief of Barcelona’s Fashionable Get together, referring to Venezuela’s authorities, which is accused of expropriating property.
The Affiliation of Vacationer Residences of Barcelona mentioned the change would result in residences being illegally rented to vacationers.
The coverage was a “smokescreen” for the failure of Mr Collboni’s housing insurance policies, it added.
In current months, hundreds have protested in components of Spain, together with the Canary Islands, in opposition to the consequences of mass tourism, which they are saying is damaging the surroundings and displacing locals.
