In January 2025, the Single Rental Registry came into force. This regulation allows the collection and exchange of data related to short-term rentals of homes (tourist and seasonal rentals), with the aim of improving transparency, sustainability and access to housing. This regulation, which will not be fully effective until July 1, seeks to guarantee legality and transparency in the market for these types of rentals in Spain, and will apply both to the owners of the homes and also to the large digital real estate platforms that advertise them.
How does it work? It’s very simple: property owners must register their properties in order to legally offer them as tourist rentals, which will help reduce unfair competition and improve the quality of service offered to tourists. Online platforms (known in the sector as OTAs = Online Travel Agencies) where these types of properties are advertised must also provide truthful information about all the properties listed in their databases.
What is needed? To register a property in the Single Registry, owners must meet a series of requirements, in order to certify that the property is suitable for tourist use and that it effectively meets the optimal quality and safety standards. To do so, they must present documentation proving both ownership and compliance with the required regulations:
• Tourist use license
• Certificate of habitability (report prepared by a professional technician)
• Cadastral reference
• Address of the property
In addition, it will also be necessary to specify whether the property will be rented as a single unit or by rooms, the maximum number of people who will be able to live there and demonstrate that all the specific requirements of the Autonomous Community in which the property is located are also met.
The registration process is as follows:
1) You will have to fill out the application form to obtain a registration number at the College of Registrars (you must have an electronic certificate). The documentation will be checked to ensure it is correct and a unique and non-transferable registration number will be assigned to the property. This number must be indicated on all digital rental platforms where the property is advertised. It will not be necessary to renew the number or update it year after year.
2) Every 12 months, it will be mandatory to fill out and submit an information form for short-term leases for each category and type of lease. This model will contain a list of the leases established to date (in which sensitive data will be omitted to protect the privacy of users), as well as those whose main use is one other than the rental of housing regulated in article 2 of the Urban Renting Law, derived from causes of a temporary nature.
3) The registration number of a specific property will be withdrawn when there is a manifest non-compliance with the criteria, at the express request of the landlord, or if there are defects in the information provided. Irresponsible non-compliance with this process may lead to financial penalties and the suspension of a property as a tourist rental.
As we have already mentioned, the new regulations will also have consequences for the digital platforms on which these types of rentals are advertised:
• They will certify that all properties in their databases have the corresponding official and true registration number.
• They will collaborate with the authorities whenever required, providing all necessary and up-to-date documentation.
• They will ensure compliance with the new single registry regulations, adapting their policies and procedures if necessary.
The new regulations are intended to provide a more secure legal framework for all parties involved in the tourism sector, combat the grey economy and protect consumer rights.
