In the Canary Islands, homeowners were fined for refusal to rent to tourists
Foreigners who own housing in Gran Canaria are being punished because they live in their apartments instead of renting them out to tourists. About 400 people have already received letters demanding that they pay a fine of 2,250 euros.
The reason is that the complexes in which they live are intended for short-term rentals only. And you can't rent an apartment on your own – you need to contact agents, writes the Daily Mail.
One of the victims said that he has had an apartment in Gran Canaria for more than 13 years, and this is the first time this has happened. The island's authorities respond that expats reduce the tourist potential of the region, and they will fight this.
At the same time, the sanctions have led to demonstrations on the island due to the effects of legislation that penalizes people who want to use their property in tourist areas as their primary residence or vacation home.
As TravelWise reported, the Canary Islands, which are a real paradise for vacationers, evoke quite the opposite feelings among locals, whose lives have recently become much more difficult.
