Although I am not a magician I may say I have about 40 years of solid experience in this kind of marketing topic and on top of this, I hace acquired a practical knowledge during my 15 years' experience in the daily field of the short term holiday renting = Alojamento Local, writes algarvedailynews.com reader, 'Charly'.
For the sake of Portugal and for the health of the tourist business I am pleading to stop the shameless political charade and to give a quick, a good and a logic solution to the problem.
I already have done several simulations about the financial impact of the sector: are the politicians aware that we speak about a €1 billion a year business? I don’t think so…
These are my proposals.
DEFINITION OF ALOJAMENTO LOCAL PREMISES
simply follow the European definition of “small premises” as stated in the 2008 AL-law: a building under 9 meters high, maximum 9 (commercial) rooms and maximum 30 people in the building at the same time.
DEFINITION OF AL BUSINESS
* excluded of this legislation: hotels, campings, youth hostels, resorts
* included in this legislation: * villas and apartments for renting (estimate: 150,000 units)
* rooms for renting (estimate: 50,000 units)
* very important: in order to stop all further confusion about “classifications and names” ban immediately the use of all (old) denominations – in a period of 180 days after date of publishing of this law
* all premises have to use the new denomination : AL / ALOJAMENTO LOCAL
* and a standardised acrylic plate near the entrance door will be mandatory (to be procured in the private sector)
ORGANIGRAM OF THE AL DEPARTMENT
* under the politico/judicial responsibility of the MINISTER OF TOURISM
* the minister is assisted by 1 INSPECTOR GENERAL as the HEAD OF THE AL DIVISION
* there will be 1 AL INSPECTOR per DISTRICT (=20)
* there will be 1 AL DIRECTOR per COUNCIL (=309)
* assisted by 1 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF (=309)
* perplus 1,000 registerd premises : + 1 STAFF member extra
* MOTIVATING INCENTIVE: per 1,000 registrations effectuated all staff receive a one time €1,000 net BONUS 1 month after the 1,000 registrations are realised.
REGISTRATION OF THE PREMISSES
* basic rule: registration is mandatory but has to be done by persoael effort and initiative
* the AL DIRECTOR has to organise and set up the full inventory of all the concerned premises in his concelho
* all premises that are in business for more than 180 days have to be registrated
* businesses that are not registered after 250 days will be fined with €15,000
* If the fine has not been paid 90 days after emitting date the premiss will be irrevocabily closed down and a require for a new license can only be filed 900 days after the closing date.
* the cost of a first and per registration registration = €600
* it is mandatory to subscribe a direct debiting form
* the yearly contribution per unit is €300
DELIVERY OF THE LICENSE
* the AL DIRECTOR has to make the inspection of the premiss
* he asks for a security and hygiene report from the BOMBEIROS
* and the AL DIRECTOR finally approves the licensing
COLLABORATION WITH PORTUGESE ADMINISTRATION
* the registration is made by the AL STAFF
* all registered premises have to be filed in a NEW DATABASE that will be available to the public
* at the same time of registration copy will be automatically transferred to
- THE CÂMARA
- IRS
- IVA
- SOC SEC
- SEF
- BOMBEIROS
* in each concelho the housing is provided by the Câmara (either in the townhall or in any other premiss owned or administrated by the Câmara
SEF
for each new group or family the manager has to communicate (one) name + address + total number of pax involved
and this in a very simple SEF online website via login (and automatic identification of the premiss)
FOLLOW UP, CHECKINGS AND SCREENINGS
* is of the full responsibility of the AL DIRECTOR
* however this can be organised with the collaboration or the help of all other administrations as PSP, GNR, finanças, bombeiros, Câmara staff, etc.
* the AL DIRECTOR has full POWER OF ATTORNEY eventually for fining, sanctioning, inspecting or closing a premiss.
* FINED PROPERTIES have to be publicaly published in an ad hoc section of the AL website
* CLOSED PROPERTIES have to be publicaly published in an ad hoc section of the AL website
PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THIS PROJECT
There is a universal statement that is definitely stronger than any rock : the value of any law is as solid and directely proportional to the control made over the implementation of this law. Unfortunately in Portugal they never heard about this adagio…
Charly
