Malaga Bans Short-Term Rentals in 43 Neighborhoods

Malaga is set to impose a ban on new short-term rentals in 43 neighborhoods, targeting areas where over 8% of homes are used for tourist accommodation, in response to rising rents and housing shortages faced by locals. This decision, effective from early November and lasting up to five years, follows widespread protests against the negative impacts of tourism on housing availability. The city has seen a significant increase in short-term rentals, with a current listing count exceeding 9,300, leading to concerns about market saturation. The mayor, Francisco De la Torre, has also proposed a tax on holiday home stays to fund social rent subsidies, pending national law reform. Other cities in Spain, like Barcelona, are implementing similar restrictions as part of a broader trend to regulate the short-term rental market. The situation reflects a growing tension between tourism-driven demand and the needs of local residents for affordable housing.