Claves para alquilar un apartamento turístico en Andalucía

The Dirección General de Consumo of the Junta de Andalucía offers a series of recommendations for individuals interested in renting a tourist apartment during the summer vacation.

If opting for a tourist apartment, it is important to know that these must be registered in the Tourism Registry of Andalucía. Therefore, the registration number should appear on the invoice issued by the managing company once the contract is made. When looking for a tourist apartment, the user should gather as much information as possible, considering their needs and expectations, such as the type of accommodation, the services offered, the rooms in the property, the furniture, and appliances, the location, and the budget.

To have useful and informative information, the consumer can check on different online platforms or forums the reviews from previous users of the same accommodation detailing their experience at the establishment, focusing on aspects like cleanliness, services, or customer service. Additionally, it is crucial to be able to see representative, quality, and up-to-date photographs of the tourist apartment, both indoors and outdoors.

Furthermore, it is essential to verify the cancellation conditions of the reservation, especially if there is a penalty involved. The company should specify under what conditions a reservation can be canceled without a penalty, if applicable. Consumo emphasizes the importance of demanding a written contract to carefully read before signing and to keep a copy for potential claims. The managing company should also clarify whether water, electricity, gas, or internet supply costs are included in the price or not.

Similarly, in addition to the contract, it is advisable to keep all receipts or invoices of payments made, and if available, the advertising brochure of the establishment.

The company responsible for the establishment should issue a dated invoice that includes the description and amount of the services contracted, along with the registration number in the Tourism Registry of Andalucía and the accommodation unit used.

Tourist apartments should display an identifying plaque with the distinctive sign ‘AT’, in white on a blue background, alongside the number of keys for the accommodation -equivalent to the stars of hotel establishments-. This plaque should also indicate its category -with gold or silver keys- and specify the modality -beach, rural, or urban- and the group it belongs to -‘buildings/complexes’ or ‘sets’-.