Tías council has announced that hotels will pay higher IBI (property tax) rates than residential homes. Residential properties over €500,000 will be subject to a tax of 0.40% of the assessed value, while “large property assets” such as hotels will be taxed at 0.50%.
Revenue councillor Tomás Silvera said that the hotel surcharge “will be used to compensate Tías for the environmental and social cost of the industry, and for social assistance.”
Silvera added “It is not fair that the large tourism industry is sustained by taxes from residents.”
Social Welfare councillor Nicolás Saavedra added that the revenue raised will be allocated “to rental assistance for those in social exclusion, many of whom are workers in the tourism industry itself.” The measures make Tías the first council on Lanzarote to adopt the national Housing Law of May 2024 in response to the housing crisis. Tías has already applied for the Canarian Government to assess whether it is a “stressed area” under the law. Such a qualification would allow the council to introduce rent caps and incentivise residential rentals.
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