Spain calls to block over 65k Airbnb ads for being considered 'illicit'

Spain's consumer affairs ministry urged the Airbnb housing platform to withdraw 65,935 ads from the platform across Spain for being considered "illicit."

The ministry says that the ads lack a tourist license number and, therefore, do not comply with the law. The announced apartments do not correlate with the licenses granted by regional authorities, and the ads do not report whether the owner is an individual or a professional.

In a written statement, the ministry reports that Madrid's High Court has already ruled on a first complaint and urged the housing platform to withdraw around 5,800 ads "immediately." These are related to apartments in Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia, the Valencian region, the Balearic Islands, and the Basque Country.

Authorities state that they will collaborate "to put an end to the decontrol and the generalized illegality" of these tourist apartments, to be able "to grant housing access and protect consumers' rights."

Spain's minister, Pablo Bustinduy, said that the apartments linked to ads had been homes to families, students, and workers who are now "kicked out of their neighborhoods."

"They see how their cities are becoming theme parks just for the gains of a few investment funds and large companies," Bustinduy told media outlets.

He also addressed Spanish regional governments that have not worked towards social housing and urged them to "stop protecting those that are making a profit out of housing rights," as cabinets "must act, and there are no excuses to not do it, such as withdrawing illegal tourist accommodation and to step up investigation, sanctioning, and closing tools," he added.