Seville Court Upholds Ban on Illegal Tourist Rentals

A court in Seville has upheld the city council's right to cut off water supplies to illegal tourist apartments, a move aimed at regulating the booming short-term rental market and addressing local residents' concerns over rising rental prices. The council has already disconnected water to six such properties, with an estimated 5,000 operating illegally in the city alongside 10,000 licensed ones. The ruling allows water to be restored only if the apartments are used as primary residences again, and city officials plan to hold managing agencies accountable, as many owners live abroad. Seville's mayor, José Luis Sanz, emphasizes a 'zero tolerance' approach to irregular rentals amid public discontent over mass tourism, which has surged to approximately 3.5 million annual visitors since the pandemic. Similar issues are prompting protests in other Spanish cities, although they have yet to adopt Seville's aggressive tactics. The situation reflects broader tensions between tourism and local housing markets across Spain.