Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Spain Opens Probe Into Property Portals Over Suspected Breaches of New Rental Ad Rules

Officials aim to enforce transparency requirements in designated high-pressure rental zones.

Overview

  • The ministry is reviewing online listings in officially designated tensioned areas that either exceed legal rent caps for large landlords or omit the previous contract rent for private owners, with the goal of removing noncompliant ads.
  • Authorities say such listings may qualify as unfair or misleading consumer practices under consumer law and could face sanctions if confirmed.
  • The Law of Customer Service, effective since December 27, requires portals to clearly display the parameters that justify asking rents in these zones, including the prior rent or the applicable rent index for large holders.
  • Secretary General Andrés Barragán notified portals and real-estate associations on December 29 about their obligations and their responsibilities as intermediaries.
  • No platforms have been named and no figures were disclosed, while a €64 million fine against Airbnb in December for unlicensed tourist listings signals a stricter enforcement posture.