Regulations on Noise and Tourist Accommodation

In this post about regulations on noise in tourist accommodation, we will try to understand what the main source of noise in vacation rental properties is and what resources neighbours and hosts have at their disposal to limit it. We will conclude with the competent bodies regarding noise legislation.

Ready? Let's begin!

[toc]

Vacation Rentals as a Source of Noise

Undoubtedly, noise is one of the main coexistence problems that vacation rental hosts face in their businesses. In fact, preventing parties in your accommodation is critical to maintaining a good relationship with the community of neighbours.

Not only local councils, through regulations on noise in tourist accommodation, but also the OTA par excellence, Airbnb, states that noise control in their accommodations is an important part of their decalogue for being a responsible host.

Guests book accommodation through Airbnb for many reasons, including going on holiday or travelling for a celebration. To ensure it's an enjoyable experience for everyone, explain to them in advance that noise can bother your neighbours. Being a responsible host on Airbnb

If you are concerned that they might be disturbed during their stay, you can prevent excessive noise by being explicit in your house rules. Explain them in the welcome book.

Furthermore, if you allow pets in your tourist apartment, you must convey that owners are responsible for their animals.

Who is responsible for noise in a holiday home according to regulations?

The first measure neighbours will take to reduce this problem, following regulations on noise in tourist accommodation, will be to convey the complaint to the host. As a host, you must be diligent in processing these claims. Your goal is to be quick in addressing these disturbances. Remember that the next steps neighbours will take will be to notify the administrator or owner of the community. And this continuous action will turn neighbours against your business.

If the noise in your holiday home persists, local police may intervene. They will take acoustic measurements at that time and may file a complaint...

But, who is responsible for noise in tourist accommodation according to legislation?

Law 37/2003 is clear: the party responsible for non-compliance with acoustic regulations is the subject causing the action, that is, the guests currently occupying your tourist accommodation. Vacation rental hosts are not responsible for the noise caused by their guests.

It is common sense: the moral responsibility of hosts lies in being vigilant about the noise caused by their commercial activity.

Applicable Legislation on Noise in Tourist Accommodation

Most regulations on noise in tourist accommodation are of local competence. Local councils are the competent administration to regulate acceptable noise thresholds. It should be noted that legislation differentiates between vacation rental housing and tourist use. While with the former (the classic blocks of tourist apartments), cessation of activity is complicated, in the latter (the typical Airbnb in a residential block), it is simpler.

The Tourism Administration

Regulations on tourist accommodation –not only those concerning noise– require in some autonomous communities the obtaining of a title/registration that enables the start of commercial activity (tourist use). Some tourism regulations require tourist use dwellings to obtain an enabling title for the start of the activity.

If neighbour complaints are prolonged over time, legislation on noise in tourist accommodation contemplates that the competent authority (Local Council or Autonomous Community) may investigate your holiday accommodation and provisionally cease the activity or sanction you financially.

Beyond Legislation. Resources to Prevent Noise from Tourist Accommodation Guests

Below we provide some ways to prevent noise from your guests, beyond tourist accommodation legislation.

• Establish a quiet hours policy.
• Do not allow pets.
• Indicate that your accommodation is not suitable for children or babies.
• Prohibit parties and additional unregistered guests.

Furthermore, a good host of tourist accommodation –regardless of what noise regulations say– must be diligent in controlling it. You can use noise sensors for this purpose.

For example, the Raixer smart lock has an integrated noise sensor that allows monitoring noise in your home and records activity in the app.

Did you like this post about noise regulations in tourist accommodation? You can subscribe to our newsletter by completing the form below.