The regulatory landscape for the Flexible Accommodation in Andalusia has been profoundly transformed. The Junta de Andalucía has approved a new decree that redefines the rules of the game for tourist accommodation (VUT), seeking a balance between the dynamism of the sector, the right to housing and the well-being of residents.
The most significant change of this new regulation is the transfer of power to local councils. From now on, local administrations will have the power to establish limitations on the number of tourist dwellings in their municipalities. This measure is not arbitrary; any restriction must be duly justified by "overriding reasons of general interest", be proportionate and backed up by reports and data proving its necessity. This opens the door to a much more localised management adapted to the reality of each city or tourist area.
However, the new regulation focuses not only on quantitative control, but also on a qualitative leap in supply. New requirements have been established for all dwellings of Flexible AccommodationThe aim is to professionalise the sector and guarantee minimum quality standards. Among the novelties, the following stand out:
- Occupancy limits: The maximum capacity of the dwellings will be determined by the certificate of occupancy or equivalent document, with a maximum of 2 persons per bedroom (maximum 15 in total) and 4 persons in the studios.
- Compulsory equipment: All TUVs shall have basic facilities similar to those of other tourist accommodation, such as air conditioning (heating and cooling depending on the opening season), a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher, among others.
- Professionalisation of management: The figure of the "tourist accommodation operator"for those persons or entities that manage more than 10 VUT. These operators will have to comply with specific obligations, which is a step towards more professionalised and responsible management.
In order to facilitate the transition, tourist dwellings that are already registered in the register will be provided with a one year to adapt to the new equipment requirements.
The Junta seeks to lay the foundations for a more sustainable tourism model that offers legal certainty to operators and, at the same time, provides local councils with the necessary tools to organise their territory and protect the general interest. It is a clear commitment to a future where quality, coexistence and professional management are the pillars of the sector.
