Clavijo Questions Legality of Holiday Rental Moratorium, Hands Decision to Local Councils
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 10 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The head of the Canary Islands Government, Fernando Clavijo, appeared to oppose the approval of a moratorium on holiday rentals on the islands on Tuesday, citing “legal uncertainties” and the potential for subsequent compensation claims.
When questioned by NC-BC during the parliamentary oversight session, he remarked that local councils retain the authority to “forbid” such rentals based on responsible declarations submitted by property owners.
“Any local council has the right to decide against accepting any responsible declaration within its jurisdiction and that resolves the issue,” he elaborated.
Clavijo wryly noted that it seems as if the current Government is being blamed for the emergence of holiday rentals, yet since the introduction of the regulation law, the availability has surged by 19.5%, and in 2020 alone, during the tenure of the ‘Pacto de las Flores’ Government, it escalated by almost 75%.
Nevertheless, he emphasised that the Government is “working” diligently to achieve “consensus” with councils and local authorities to conclude the regulation of holiday rentals, recognising it as a “needed provision” for the archipelago, albeit “regulated”.
NC-BC spokesman Luis Campos stated that the Canary Islands are experiencing an “influx” of applications for new holiday homes, a situation his party had previously warned about in April, and consequently urged the Executive to “revise” this stance.
