By Yamalie Rosario
El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO - The need to regulate short-term rentals through the General Law on Real Estate Rentals and Evictions continues to gain support from more sectors.
On this occasion, PRM deputy Eugenio Cedeño, who chaired the Chamber of Deputies committee that has studied this initiative for the past two years, and the president of the Association of Real Estate Agents and Companies (AEI), Alberto Bogaert, agreed that it is an issue that should be studied and approved.
Both were interviewed by El Inmobiliario regarding the proposal made last week to this media outlet by real estate law expert Héctor Alies Rivas, who believes that the Rental Law should have a complete chapter to establish the rules governing this commercial activity.
Cedeño emphasized the importance of facilitating coexistence and establishing rules to regulate short-term rentals in the country, as is done in other nations. He believes that, more than tax measures in legislation, what should be ensured is that this business is controlled without excessive restrictions. This would establish that access to apartments through these digital platforms would be subject to the internal regulations of each condominium, building, or gated community.
It also proposes that sanctions be established for those who violate the established rules.
He adds that "A tenancy law doesn't care about tax issues; I think what the law should care about is that the rule serves to facilitate coexistence between the owners of a building and the tenants of an owner.".
It suggests not prohibiting a tenant from making use of their property rights, but rather ensuring, through certain established rules, that a property can be used to its full potential as long as it complies with the internal rules of that condominium.
He acknowledged that some condominiums might have rules prohibiting short-term rentals. He insisted on the need to establish a system of consequences for such violations.
"I believe that the issue of short-term rentals of one day, two days, three or four days, or less than a month, should be regulated like any other commercial activity," he analyzed.
He added that "That's a kind of hospitality rent, where that should be regulated like the establishment of a hotel, like the establishment of a cafe, or anything else.".
However, he acknowledged that setting limits can be a little difficult.
It also favored allowing the condominium owners to set limits on the type of people who can rent a property in that residential space.
"There must be a way to regulate so that the authorities, both municipal and the National Police and the General Directorate of Internal Taxes, have control over this, both in tax matters and in matters of public safety," he analyzed.
This aligns with the perspective of real estate agents, given that Alberto Bogart expressed his support for the Rental Law to include short-term rentals.
The president of the AEI stated, "I agree! Short-term rentals should be included in the rental law in a special article.".
Otherwise, it favored that this issue be considered in future regulations as the market evolves.
He suggested evaluating existing regulations in other countries and the results obtained.
He emphasized that short-term rentals and their housing offerings are an essential part of the growth of tourism in the Dominican Republic, both locally and internationally.
"We must pay attention to short-term rentals in residential or family buildings and take the necessary measures, and for this we must first review the condominium law," he reflected.
Last week, businessman Frank Rainieri expressed his concern about the excessive growth of Airbnb and the fact that this short-stay rental platform is not regulated and controlled because it constitutes unfair competition.
The National Association of Hotels and Restaurants (Asonahores) has expressed similar sentiments to the hoteliers of the East.
