Seville to Cut Water to Illegal Tourist Apartments

The Seville City Council has announced plans to cut off water supply to approximately 5,000 illegal tourist apartments operating without licenses or failing to meet regulations. This initiative aims to curb the proliferation of irregular holiday rentals, a growing concern amid rising tourist numbers. The local government, led by the conservative Popular Party (PP), has identified these properties through data cross-referencing with rental technology platforms. However, the opposition has criticized the measure as a mere publicity stunt, highlighting the City Council's previous refusal to halt the issuance of new tourist rental licenses. The government plans to inspect only 10 illegal apartments per week, raising questions about the effectiveness of the initiative. Officials from the Seville Urban Planning Department stated that they are analyzing tourism stress in various neighborhoods to prioritize inspections. The City Council's focus will initially be on 715 apartments located above the first floor, which violate urban planning regulations. Complaints from residents regarding the impact of mass tourism have surged this year, particularly in the city center and the Triana neighborhood, which are major tourist destinations. The local government has faced pressure to address these issues more comprehensively. Despite the opposition's resistance to proposed measures limiting tourist accommodations, the City Council remains committed to enforcing water supply cuts as a deterrent against illegal rentals. With 9,384 tourist apartments currently in Seville, officials believe that the inspections will lead to a significant reduction in illegal housing over time.