Consumo has opened an investigation into large companies that manage and administer hundreds of tourist homes in different autonomous communities, as they could be engaging in "deceptive practices" and other violations of the law for the defense of consumers.
This new investigation, according to sources from the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030, focuses on tourist apartment operations that, even with a license, could be being managed irregularly by intermediary companies that work in different parts of Spain.
"Deceptive practices" means any conduct that contains false information or that, even if true, due to its content or presentation, induces or may induce error in the recipients, being susceptible to altering their economic behavior, as explained by the law of unfair competition.
The same law mentions some assumptions that would be considered "deceptive", such as, for example, fraudulently affirming or creating the false impression that an entrepreneur or professional is not acting within the framework of their business or professional activity, or fraudulently presenting themselves as a consumer or user.
This is a new investigation by the ministry headed by Pablo Bustinduy, through the General Directorate of Consumer Affairs, on the so-called tourist apartments, which adds to the one already opened in June.
On that occasion, the advertisements published by some platforms to offer this type of housing as tourist enclaves without having a license to do so were examined, a practice that would also constitute a violation of the consumer protection law.
Last October, the technicians of the aforementioned General Directorate examined some real estate agencies that could have executed "abusive practices against tenants in the management of rentals", according to Consumo.
These practices range from forcing consumers to pay a commission for the management of the lease, to signing temporary contracts without justifying the temporality, or accepting irregular clauses based on the regulations.
These initiatives are in line with Bustinduy's intentions to tackle the housing crisis in Spain, an issue that, as he has publicly stated on several occasions, is one of the main problems facing the country.
Recently, the minister advocated intervening in the housing market in the general state budgets of 2025 and incorporating that tourist apartments pay 21% VAT, the same as hotels, a measure that was finally left out of the recently approved tax package.
