A proposal for owners of short-term rental apartments and townhouse in condominium schemes to pay higher fees, forms a key part of a report from a Socialist and left Bloc working group on housing policy.
Owners of properties who rent to tourists under the Alojamento Local scheme, will be paying more condominium fees 'as their clients use the common parts of properties more than owner-occupiers.'
"It is already a common practice, there are many condominiums that already do this and have rules that cover this situation," explained a source in the PM’s office, adding that, "it is necessary to regulate short-term rentals in an intelligent manner that solves the problem and in a way that does not kill this new economy activity that is beneficial to the country."
A few weeks ago, the Environment Minister, João Matos Fernandes, admitted this new form of taxation is a distinct possibility.
This measure is expected to clash with the bill that was handed to parliament by MPs Carlos Pereira and Filipe Neto Brandão, in which condominiums are given the power to authorise someone who wants to renting his property to short-term tourists.
Both António Costa and João Matos Fernandes are fully against this measure and it is certain to be withdrawn but the raising of condominium charges is another way of homing in on short-term rental landlords, adding yet another barrier to those being encouraged to join the mandatory Alojamento Local scheme.