Madrid court orders closure of 10 tourist flats after disturbances and legal violations

Spain: A Madrid court has ruled to close 10 tourist flats in a city centre building, following a lawsuit filed by a local family who reported ongoing disturbances caused by guests.

The flats, located near Plaza Mayor, were found to be in violation of local housing regulations, with the court citing both illicit activities and unsanitary conditions that negatively impacted the residents.

The family, living in the 60-flat building, had raised multiple complaints regarding loud noise, public intoxication, vandalism, and inappropriate behaviour from guests occupying the tourist flats.

Despite the building’s owners receiving fines totalling €16,000, the disturbances continued, leading to legal action. In its ruling, the court awarded the family nearly €39,000 in damages, and ordered the tourist flats to cease operations.

Lawyer Miguel Ángel Rubio, representing the affected family, argued that the ongoing disturbances had caused severe psychological distress and infringed upon their right to live peacefully in their home. The court agreed, ruling that the flat owners had failed to meet the necessary health and safety standards required for short-term rentals.

This decision highlights growing concerns about the impact of short-term rentals on neighbourhoods, particularly in popular tourist destinations like Madrid, where overtourism has contributed to an increase in property prices and housing shortages.

Highlights:

• A Madrid court orders the closure of 10 tourist flats in a building near Plaza Mayor after ongoing disturbances and violations of local housing regulations.

• A local family sues the building’s owners after reporting severe noise, vandalism, and inappropriate guest behaviour in the short-term rentals.

• The family is awarded €39,000 for the psychological distress caused by the disturbances, with the court ordering the tourist flats to cease operations.

• This ruling may set a precedent for future short-term rental regulations, as Madrid prioritises residents’ rights over tourism interests.

•  The case highlights broader concerns about overtourism and its effect on local communities, with short-term rentals contributing to housing shortages and rising property costs.