Today around 1:10 p.m. I was in the “Maspalomas Lago” complex to welcome a German tourist to one of the Bungalows under my management and I see the Polizia Nacional going around the various bungalows taking notes. I already had an inkling that they were going to ask me questions as soon as they were done with the client. AND THEY WERE!

They started by asking me who I was and what I was doing there since I was holding a folder of documents and Pos for electronic payments and showing the bungalow to the tourist who had just arrived with his luggage. I explained to them that I am the owner of the PROPERTY FOR SALE GRAN CANARIA agency and that I am in the business of managing licensed VIVIENDAS VACACIONALES properties to tourists.

At that point they asked me what procedure I was implementing for guest registration and I passed the exam with flying colors! Of course, I then had to tell them the first and last name of the bungalow owner, the name assigned to the Vivienda Vacacional, the responsible person registered with the police (which in this case is me and I do not delegate third parties) my personal information and my agency’s business card for references.

So I am expecting a visit from them to the office here in Playa del Ingles in the Mercurio building to get more information about what I am doing and certainly a phone call from them to the owner of the bungalow who will also be the subject of tax audits in order to check whether or not he pays taxes on the rental income, but, for that no worries since I personally follow up on the taxation of the properties under my management through my trusted tax advisor and keeping all the documentation.

All this only confirms that my method of working under local rules is the only viable method if you want to invest and work in the Short Rental Business in Gran Canaria. So, as I always say, be careful in relying for the tourist management of your property on the cleaning lady or the friend of the friend of the friend who is penniless or the handyman on duty to save on commission and taxes from the cost of a plate of lentils because it is not worth it!

With audits by the Tax Agency and the Nacional Police, one can incur very heavy penalties indeed and risk damaging one’s investment.

To you who follow me….ne is it worthwhile to rely on people who are not competent but are just trying to make ends meet? Think about it…