LA LUZ demonstrated in its research report of April 2023 that, at least since June 2021, it began renting as tourist housing the four homes of its property in the portal of Luxury Pintore Street, although it was not authorized to do so. Gustavo Antépara, a significant member of the PP of the Basque Country and one of the other councilors, owns 50% of the shares in Luxury. The company’s minister is Pilar Perosanz, a couple from Antepara.

In September 2023 Luxury registered two of the four houses in the Register of Companies and Tourist Establishments of the Basque Country, located on the first and fourth floors. Being registered is a necessary condition to be able to exploit a home for tourism. The other two houses, on the 2nd and 3rd floors, are not included in the register.

The two acquired permissions in question

But the City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz has not authorized the opening of tourist homes in the Old Town of Vitoria-Gasteiz since February 2023. How then could it be that seven months later Luxury got two licenses? A source from the Department of Tourism of the Basque Government, who is familiar with the case, has given explanations to LUZ.

When anyone files an application to register in the tourist housing register, on the one hand, the department automatically registers him, “legally, he can only accept it”. On the other hand, it opens the “verification file” to analyze the suitability of the application. The most decisive is the affirmative or negative report of the corresponding city council. In the case of these two Luxury petitions, “the City Council refused, so the Government also refused,” explains the source, who has requested anonymity. But Luxury filed a injunction against both “as it does with everything.” The City Council did not respond to the request within the corresponding period and, as a result, Luxury’s request was accepted.

It seems like it’s not the end of the road. The Government is competent to open a new verification file. This person says he will “do it” and in the absence of new surprises he will reject both of Luxury’s requests. It will take “a few more months” for that to happen.

Tourist housing without authorization

In any case, in the meantime the four houses of the portal continue to be advertised in portals such as Booking or Gites, reference for the rental of tourist homes. Four, both with and without permits.

In addition, neighbors have assured LUZ that they have regularly seen people in second and third floor dwellings that are not allowed. On the other hand, the obligatory plaque that advertises the tourist home is also not visible on the portal.

Complaint against Luxury

According to the source of the Department of Tourism, it is common for Luxury to act at the limit of legality, as well as to prolong the processes as much as possible through appeals and requests. He explains to LARA that “a private individual” filed a complaint against Luxury in the department for renting a house for tourism, accusing him of “illegal activity”. He was fined for “serious breach of the rule,” but he ended up in nothingness. “He appealed, saying that the stay was short and for work reasons. The dates coincided with a festive bridge. Don’t ask how, but he managed to get rid of the fine.”