Reader's comment sumbitted by Gavin Middleton from 'Rent in the Algarve':
"The bottom line is that if you make the public aware to look out for "AL" and point out the reasons for doing so, not only could the tourism business suffer, but it would also be pretty damming for the big advertising sites - financially of course.
The "gentle gentle" approach of little "reminders" to the Owners (in the local press) of what the consequences may be for non-AL compliance, seems to be the preferred method of gradually "persuading" Owners to comply, but it is going to take a very long time, especially all the while that the Owners can't see any evidence that the legislation is being policed.
Yes, the process of getting "AL" may be long and drawn out.....And ? Everyone can register their activity... let it take 2,3,4,5 months ! Is that the main reason why Owners are not registering their business activity ?.... Maybe, or perhaps it's because it will hit the Owners in the Pocket ? By the time the Owner pays commission to one of the listing sites, pays additional costs associated with being legal, and pays their tax, there is quite a dent in their "earnings". The government may be generous in reducing the tax burden in Portugal, but for non-residents, they still have to "pay the balance" in their country of residence.
"Well Done", the big listing sites who advise their Owners to comply with local laws, but the moment they tell the public to look for AL numbers, is the moment they lose most of their Owners, for fear of: "Is that a tax inspector making a dummy enquiry ?" or "Now I'll never get a booking !" not to mention the holidaymakers who have already booked, and now want to cancel because they are worried about their accommodation being illegal, and most probably uninsured ! What a mess that's going to be. They've booked their flights, they've booked their car, they've pre-booked with Attractions....There will be refunds going backwards and forwards all over the place !
Call customer services of the major listing sites, and expect to be told that all their properties are legal ! If it wasn't so serious, it would be laughable ! The strangest excuse for Owners not displaying their AL number, is on the grounds of "Data protection" ! Never mind that they are already displaying the Owners' names, telephone numbers and every other detail about their accommodations. Any Owner who has gone to the "trouble" of getting an "AL" knows the consequences of NOT displaying the number - a number which has no meaning or value to anyone other than the Camara who issued it !
Glad to read that at least one major listing site "respects" Portuguese law, when another "major" emails comments like: "We also recommend that you enquire about the various organisations that focus on combating rental regulations. If you formed an organisation yourself, please feel free to send us some details that we can share with our other advertisers"..... REALLY ? And, are they really against inspectors just doing their job, with comments like "If you think that you have been contacted by the authorities via the enquiry form on our site, please let us know as we may be able to help".... You might want to read that paragraph again !
What we need, is what we already have.....
A site which only promotes properties with "AL".
A site which allows Owners, (if they want to), have local businesses vouch that they really do have rental accommodation. There is little chance that an Owner and a long standing local business (firmly on Portuguese soil), are going to disappear overnight just to make a quick buck, and leave holidaymakers stranded !
A site which passes on some of the best unbeatable discounts available from the more "forward thinking" Attractions in the Algarve.
A site which passes on 20% of it's gross turnover (gross, not profit) to charities in the Algarve.
Yes, it's here..... it's "Rent in the Algarve" ! www.rentinthealgarve.co.uk "
Written by Gavin Middleton
rentinthealgarve.co.uk
