Benicalap erupts over the invasion of tourist apartments: "Companies are breaking the law and the City Council is doing nothing"

Benicalap has erupted over the invasion of tourist apartments, with residents accusing both property companies and the local government of failing to act against illegal activities. The issue has come to light through a public statement issued by the Associació Veïnal de Benicalap, which criticizes the city council of Valencia for its inaction despite repeated reports of violations. According to the association, these violations involve companies operating under the guise of tourism, transforming residential buildings into commercial spaces without proper authorization. The controversy centers around the company Business Decission and Advice SL, which has been carrying out work on 60 tourist accommodations in the basements of two residential buildings located on Calle Encarna Albarracín and Calle Carlos Cortina. On Saturday, the elDiario.es reported that workers from this company demolished facades facing common areas without permission from the community, while the city council reviews whether this constitutes grounds for halting the works, which were supposedly authorized. Residents have expressed frustration over the ongoing situation, noting that similar problems have occurred in other parts of the city. They claim that these developments contradict both the regulations and the wishes of the local population, who feel powerless as their neighborhoods undergo transformation without their consent. The association highlights a recurring pattern: property owners sell or rent their basement units to tourism-focused businesses, which then proceed with unauthorized renovations, often altering building façades and causing damage to shared structures. According to the association, these companies typically apply for minor renovation permits via a declaration of responsibility, which they argue is meant to circumvent more stringent requirements. Once approved, the real work begins, often involving changes to exterior features and modifications that violate existing agreements among property owners. Residents report that these actions lead to issues such as water leaks and structural damage, further exacerbating tensions within the community. In response to these incidents, the association states that residents have repeatedly turned to the city council, which is aware of the violations yet fails to enforce regulations or penalize offenders. As a result, legal action has become the last resort, though the slow pace of justice has been perceived as an endorsement of fraudulent practices. The association argues that the local authorities appear complicit, leaving residents feeling abandoned and unprotected. Residents living in the affected buildings describe a sense of helplessness as they witness the unchecked expansion of tourist properties. They point out that the companies involved have acquired the commercial basements of the buildings and initiated projects initially classified as apartment-hotels, with plans for 38 units in one building and 22 in another. These developments have caused noise and disruption, including drilling into garages, which some residents say has led to damage and safety concerns. Community administrators have confirmed that in one case, the board voted to prohibit the use of the residential complex for tourism purposes. In another instance, the rules explicitly forbid such usage. Despite these measures, the companies continue their operations, threatening to grant access to common areas and pools, which residents fear will compromise their privacy and security. Both communities have filed multiple complaints, with one already set for a judicial process in February. Tensions have escalated recently as workers from the project have begun creating window openings in the facades facing common areas without approval, violating Article 7.1 of the Law of Horizontal Property, which prohibits alterations that affect the structure or appearance of the building. Residents claim that although the police and city inspections have visited the site, no enforcement has taken place. They explain that access to the interiors of the residential complexes is limited to the utility room, making it difficult to monitor the activities taking place. Residents remain skeptical about the legality of the works, particularly given the new regulations introduced by the city council in March, which imposed a two-year moratorium on issuing new licenses. They question how the city could have granted permits for projects that include unauthorized changes to common areas without community approval. Some suspect that the company’s submission of a certificate validated by an Urbanistic Collaborative Entity (ECUV) might have influenced the decision-making process, even though such procedures seem flawed.