MPs reject proposal to protect residents living in tourist complexes

Residents living in tourist or holiday complexes across the Canary Islands remain without the legal changes proposed to protect their homes after the regional parliament voted against allowing a bill to proceed.

The proposal, put forward by the Socialist Party (PSOE), sought to recognise certain existing homes in areas designated for tourism as having residential use, where local planning rules allow homes and tourist accommodation to coexist.

It also proposed pausing some fines and enforcement cases linked to people living in the properties.

Coalition Canaria (CC) and the People’s Party (Partido Popular) voted against the bill being considered, while the Agrupación Socialista Gomera abstained. The proposal had the support of the Socialists, Nueva Canarias and Vox, but the regional government had issued an unfavourable report.

The vote took place on Wednesday, 14th October. It means the proposed bill will not begin its passage through parliament, so the measures it contained will not take effect.

What the proposal would have changed

The bill aimed to amend regional tourism laws affecting properties in tourist or mixed-use plots. It would have recognised some existing residential use where local planning allowed it, and revised legal definitions for tourist accommodation and individual units in apartment complexes.

It also set out transitional measures for certain sanction procedures. These included pausing some ongoing cases, including some that were before the courts without a final ruling, and some financial penalties that had not yet been enforced.

The dispute affects owners whose properties are in areas designated for tourist use, including people who bought their homes before the land or buildings were assigned that use. During the parliamentary debate, situations in Puerto de la Cruz, Arona, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Valle Gran Rey and Teguise were raised.

Parties disagree on the way forward

Socialist MP Gustavo Santana argued that allowing the bill to proceed would have opened a debate and left room for changes. He criticised the government for not yet resolving the issue and questioned the alternative tourism legislation it is preparing.

Coalición Canaria MP Socorro Beato said the situation needed a solution but argued that the proposed bill could create uncertainty for other owners. She urged the regional government to bring forward a broader proposal.

The Partido Popular also opposed the bill, with MP David Morales criticising it and pointing to measures being developed by the tourism department. Nueva Canarias and Vox MPs, meanwhile, criticised the decision to block it.

The vote does not introduce a new ban on living in tourist complexes. It leaves the Socialist proposal without further progress, while owners affected by the rules continue to await a resolution. The government is working on a separate reform, but its final details and timetable have not yet been set out.