Current Torremolinos Vacation Rental Regulations: Guide for Owners
Don’t let the legal maze of the Junta de Andalucía block your income. Discover how to comply with the law and maximize your profitability.
Managing a Tourist Use Home (VFT/VUT) in Torremolinos today is nothing like it was a year ago. Between the new Decree 31/2024 of the Junta de Andalucía, which tightens the requirements for the VFT/VUT license and the strict Hospederías control by the Police, many owners feel overwhelmed by paperwork and the fear of fines.
Important: Failure to comply with the new habitability requirements or the lack of registration in the Property Registry can lead to the immediate revocation of your license and expose you to fines for not registering the tourist apartment of €2,001 to €18,000.
At Torremolinos Vacation Management, we are specialists in local tourism law. We know every municipal ordinance and every regional requirement so that you only have to worry about receiving your profits at the end of the month.
The Solution: Legal Shield and Professional Management
We have been operating in Torremolinos for over 7 years (from La Carihuela to Los Álamos). We are not just a cleaning company; we are your legal Compliance department. If you trust us with your property, we assume all regulatory responsibility.
What do we do to ensure you comply with current regulations?
- Free VFT/VUT Registration: We operate as your agency to register your tourist apartment for free. We process your license with the Junta de Andalucía and your Unique Registration Number with the Property Registry without charging you a single euro.
- Technical Requirements Audit: We verify that your home complies with the window darkening, direct ventilation, and climate control required by Decree 31/2024.
- Automated Traveler Registration: If you are wondering if traveler registration with the Police is mandatory, the answer is yes. We connect your home with the Civil Guard through our Icnea software, complying with Royal Decree 933/2021 instantly.
- management at 15% + VAT with No Lock-in: All legal protection is included in our transparent commission. No exclusivity contracts or strings attached.
The Legal Framework for VFTs in Torremolinos (2025-2026)
The operation of Tourist Use Housing (VUT) in the municipality of Torremolinos is governed by the Andalusia Tourism Law 13/2011 and its recent update through Decree 31/2024. This new regulatory landscape imposes higher quality standards, such as mandatory climate control (fixed or portable, never fans) and minimum surface areas per accommodation spot. Legally, the activity requires the submission of a Responsible Declaration to the Andalusia Tourism Registry (RTA), in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1028. Professional Property Management agencies must also ensure compliance with municipal noise and coexistence regulations, implementing Turnover protocols that guarantee hotel-level hygiene and the electronic transmission of sensitive data to the Interior Ministry’s SES.DERI platform, thereby mitigating the risk of sanctioning liabilities for the real estate investor.
Advantages of being a “legal” owner with us
Complying with the law in Torremolinos has its rewards. Look at everything we include when you trust our local team:
Free Statutes Advice
We analyze your homeowners’ association statutes to ensure that tourist rentals are viable and you run no legal risks.
In-house Industrial Laundry
We meet hotel hygiene standards by personally controlling the washing of linens at our local facilities.
Assistance in 10 Minutes
We are local. In the event of any inspection by the Junta or a problem with a guest, we are there in less than 10 real minutes.
What Decree 28/2016 (2024 text) says and almost nobody tells you
Read article by article in the Junta’s consolidated text (September 2026):
- Key lockboxes: they “may not be placed on street furniture on public roads” (art. 7.4). If you are not there on arrival, key handover must be arranged in advance. Occupancy from 3 pm to 11 am unless otherwise agreed.
- Contract on arrival: a document “by way of contract” with operator, registration code, number of guests, dates, price and phone, signed and kept for one year (arts. 7.1 and 7.3).
- Price per night that includes water, electricity, heating, cooling, arrival cleaning, linen and kitchenware (art. 8.1). With no agreed policy: deposit of up to 30 %; you may keep 50 % of it if the guest cancels more than 10 days ahead and 100 % with less; if you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, you pay 30 % compensation (art. 8.3); force majeure without penalty (8.4).
- Guests who break the rules: you may require them to leave within 24 hours and call the police (art. 7.5); tourist accommodation is excluded from the Urban Leases Act (art. 5.e).
- Energy performance certificate: mandatory to rent and to advertise (RD 390/2021, arts. 3 and 16), with no short-stay exemption.
- EU Regulation 2024/1028, since 20 May 2026: Booking, Airbnb and Vrbo must request and display the registration code.
- Complaint forms (Decree 82/2022): on paper, visible sign and a written reply within 10 working days.
We comply with all of this in every property we manage; if you have doubts about yours, we check it for free.
Common doubts about regulations in Torremolinos
What happens if my house doesn’t have fixed air conditioning?
Nothing: the regulations (Decree 28/2016, art. 6.1.e) allow cooling by fixed or portable units, as long as they are not fans. We recommend fixed air conditioning for guest comfort and advise you on the best technical solution before requesting your registration number.
Can they prohibit me from renting if my homeowners’ association votes against it?
Yes. Following the modification of the Horizontal Property Law, associations can prohibit or limit tourist activity with a 3/5 majority vote. It is vital to check if the prohibition is already in the statutes before making any investment.
?
It is obtained through the Property Registry and is used by Airbnb and Booking to verify that your home is 100% legal. We handle this procedure for you for free.
Other recommended legal guides
Taxes for a tourist apartment and garbage fees
Learn about your tax obligations as an owner in Torremolinos and how we help you save on local taxes.
Agency to register tourist apartment for free
Discover how to obtain your VFT/VUT license.
Exact requirements for the VFT/VUT license
The complete list of technical, climate control, and safety demands your home must meet to pass an inspection.
Does your property comply with the law? We review it for free
Don’t risk your tourist license. We perform a free regulatory audit of your apartment in Torremolinos. Contact us via WhatsApp today.
Torremolinos Vacation Management | Torremolinos, Málaga