Regulations and taxes. Two heavyweight forces circling the short-term rental (STR) industry like seagulls at a seaside chip shop. And just as you’re about to settle in for a brilliant summer season, along comes the next blow. 66,000 Airbnbs facing the boot in Spain, and Edinburgh introducing a new tourist tax. Is this sensible regulation, or an overcorrection? And what can we, as property managers, actually do?
It’s time for a heart-to-heart with the industry, before the balance tips and we’re left without a seat at the table we helped build.
Spain’s Airbnb Purge, Just in Time for Summer
In Spain, the Balearic government has demanded that Airbnb remove around 66,000 listings that failed to display a valid licence number. This isn’t a small policy tweak. This is thousands of holiday homes, wiped from search results, right before the peak travel season.
Barcelona is going even further, planning to phase out all short-term rental licences by 2028. The rationale is to combat over-tourism, tackle housing shortages, and reclaim the city for residents. While the need to protect housing is absolutely valid, many STR operators are already licensed, taxed, and playing by the rules. This sudden squeeze feels more like a punishment than a policy.
So, what can hosts and property managers in Spain do?
Speak Up Locally
• Join regional STR associations or start one in your area if none exist
• Participate in public consultations, many city councils open new policies for feedback before implementation
• Connect with sympathetic local businesses, cafes, cleaners, and shops benefit from STRs too and can be powerful allies
Use the Media
• Local journalists are always looking for human stories, speak up about how these policies impact jobs, families, and the economy
• Write to newspapers, comment on tourism pieces, and get your perspective out there
Edinburgh’s 5 Percent Tourist Tax, A Trendsetter?
North of the border, Edinburgh is paving the way with a 5 percent visitor levy set to begin in 2026. Hotels, B&Bs, and STRs alike will be subject to it, with revenue earmarked for city improvements and cultural projects.
That sounds fairly reasonable on paper, but when you stack this on top of existing licensing schemes, cleaning costs, insurance, platform fees, and the odd appliance breakdown, it begins to feel like a lot. Especially when the STR sector is already tightly regulated.
What’s concerning isn’t that these measures exist, it’s that they may become increasingly one-sided. If no one questions the weight of regulation or taxation, soon it won’t just be Edinburgh, it’ll be everywhere.
If you’re based in the UK, here’s how to stay active:
Engage with Councils and MPs
• Most local authorities publish agendas online, keep tabs on STR discussions and attend meetings when you can
• Email or write to your MP explaining your role in the community as a responsible accommodation provider, personal stories matter more than you think
Get Organised
• Consider forming a regional network of STR owners, a united voice carries further than a solo shout
• Collaborate with tourism boards to highlight how STRs support local events and festivals, especially outside peak seasons
What About the Rest of Us?
Even if you’re not in Spain or Scotland, this is a trend to watch. Regulation is rippling across the globe, often pushed by housing affordability concerns and local tensions. As STR operators, we must be proactive, not reactive.
Here’s how you can start taking action:
• Understand your local laws, the more you know, the more confidently you can speak up
• Introduce yourself to your local councillor, invite them to see your property, show them your guidebook, and explain how you screen guests and manage complaints
• Support responsible hosting, educate new hosts in your area, share best practices, and lead by example
• Stay connected, join national STR forums, attend tourism conferences, and keep up with policy developments, silence is often mistaken for consent
Why This Matters
Regulation isn’t the villain here. When done thoughtfully, it protects guests, neighbours, and communities. But the pendulum can swing too far, too fast. If our industry doesn’t speak up, reasonably, respectfully, and regularly, we risk being regulated out of relevance.
Whether you manage a single seaside flat or a portfolio across multiple cities, your role as a host is more than providing a bed for the night. You are an economic engine, a cultural bridge, and, quite frankly, the reason many tourists can even afford to visit some destinations.
Final Word, and a Handy Helper
In a world of ever-changing rules, one thing you can control is how smoothly your business runs. Tools like Hello Hosty help you stay efficient, sync your calendars, automate guest comms, and keep stress at bay.