Common site in Benidorm

In an attempt to catch illegal landlord, tax inspectors have been knocking on doors of what they suspect to be undeclared holiday rentals. The practice is prolific in high tourist destinations where apartments are rented out in the peak summer months and then not declared to the tax authorities - in reality it is probably something that occurs around the world.

1000´s of apartments available in Benidorm

Many private landlords advertise in local papers or simply place a board on the outside of the property. However, holidaymakers have come in for a shock when they answer the door to a tax inspector whilst enjoying their break - but landlords have been critical of the way they are carrying out these inspections. They have said that instead they should contact rental agencies and collect information that way although are in agreement that unlicensed landlords should be bought to task - but disturbing innocent holidaymakers is not the way to go about this. The problem with their suggestion is that many would not be using an agency and renting direct to the client....

With the Government seeking ways to collect revenue in the current economic climate it is not something that is likely to die down quickly. On the other hand, renting direct from the owners can also prove risky as there are no guarantees - this has often been highlighted when property has been advertised on the internet and in reality it does not exist. The best bet is to go through a proper rental agency or company where you have some kind of comeback if things go wrong....

Benidorm closed the first half of August with record hotel occupancy - at 92.3% and currently the figure for the second half stands at 87.3%. Antonio Mayor, President of the HOSBEC hoteliers association welcomed the news but noted that profitability is at its lowest in recent years.