ASCAV to challenge Granadilla Council’s Holiday Rental Regulations in court
The Canary Islands Vacation Rental Association (ASCAV) has announced its intention to file a legal appeal against new holiday rental regulations introduced by the Granadilla de Abona Town Hall in southern Tenerife.
The contested ordinance, approved unanimously by the municipal council in October 2024, aims to tighten control over the use of properties as holiday lets.
With 1,918 homes already designated for short-term rental, roughly 9% of the housing stock, authorities argue that tighter regulation is necessary to protect housing availability and manage urban pressure.
What the Ordinance States
Under the new rules, holiday rentals are prohibited in:
- Homes that do not comply with existing planning regulations
- Publicly protected or subsidised housing
- Areas officially declared as "under housing/tourism stress"
Additionally, only properties with the proper building licences, permits, and compliance with land-use planning at the time of construction may operate as tourist rentals.
ASCAV's Legal Challenge
ASCAV argues that the regulation is legally flawed. In a statement released on Monday, the association described the ordinance as “null and void due to a lack of motivation and justification for the restrictions imposed.”
They further contend that the new rules contravene established jurisprudence from Spain’s Supreme Court, which, according to ASCAV, protects vacation rentals as part of a constitutionally backed right to private property and enterprise.
The association maintains that any municipal restrictions must meet the principle of proportionality, especially when affecting fundamental rights.
Granadilla de Abona’s regulation is part of a broader trend across the Canary Islands and Spain, where local governments are seeking to limit the impact of short-term rentals on housing affordability and residential life. However, these measures are increasingly facing legal pushback from industry groups and property owners.
The upcoming legal battle could set a precedent for how far local councils can go in regulating the rapidly evolving holiday let sector.
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