Consum blocks 65,000 illegal tourist apartments on Airbnb

BarcelonaThe Ministry of Consumer Affairs has ordered Airbnb to block more than 65,000 illegal tourist apartment listings published on its rental platform. As explained in a statement this Monday, the department headed by Pablo Bustinduy has urged the multinational's Irish subsidiary to remove these listings, considering them "illegal as they contravene regulations on advertising for this type of tourist accommodation."

Specifically, the ministry alleges that Airbnb violates the regulations of the various autonomous communities where the listings were detected. For example, it warns that they do not include the license or registration number, a requirement imposed by several territories of the Spanish state and the most common violation detected by Consum. Furthermore, it warns that the listings where the license number does appear do not correspond to the one issued by the authorities.

The ministry also complains that the advertisements do not indicate the legal status of the tenants, i.e., whether they are professionals, corporations, or individuals. Furthermore, it asserts that in all cases, the rentals are complete tourist accommodations, not single rooms.

Over the past few months, Consum has sent the company up to three resolutions notifying it of more than 65,000 illegal tourist apartment listings, and the company was already being urged to block this advertising. Airbnb appealed the measure in court, and now the Madrid High Court (TSJM) has ruled on the first resolution, with a ruling that upholds Consum's actions. Thus, the Madrid court is urging the technology platform to remove 5,800 tourist apartment listings immediately.

Crusade against the platforms

The announcements issued by the TSJM (High Court of Justice) not only affect homes in the region presided over by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, the ministry explains, but also include others in Andalusia, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, the Balearic Islands, and the Basque Country. Bustinduy has publicly stated his goal of "collaborating with the relevant public administrations to put an end to the widespread unruliness and illegality of tourist accommodation," as well as facilitating access to housing and protecting consumer rights. Therefore, his ministry is working on several measures to continue this battle against the platforms.