Legislation

Many were those who found in Local Accommodation a way to obtain extra income.
Despite being profitable, this activity is complex and involves numerous obligations.

Regardless of the modality, this activity has its own rules, which are different from traditional leasing and tourist developments.

There is a specific legislation that regulates the rules of Local Accommodation, establishments in this activity are characterized as "those that provide temporary accommodation services to tourists, for a fee" and that meet the requirements set out in the law.

General requirements

Complying with the general requirements of Local Accommodation requires obeying some rules, provided by law:

• Present conditions for the conservation and functioning of the installations and equipment;
• Be connected to the public water supply network or have a private water supply system with duly controlled origin;
• Be connected to the public sewer network or equipped with septic tanks dimensioned for the maximum capacity of the establishment;
• Have hot and cold running water;
• Have a window or balcony with direct communication to the outside to ensure adequate ventilation and ventilation conditions;
• Have adequate furniture, equipment and utensils;
• Have a system that allows the entrance of outside light to be sealed;
• Have doors equipped with a security system that ensures users' privacy;
• Sanitary facilities must have a security system that guarantees privacy;
• Always meet conditions of hygiene and cleanliness.
• Have a Complaints Book

If you want to monetize your holiday home or one that you are not using, local accommodation can be a good bet, but make sure you meet all the general requirements required by law.

Legislation

Law No. 62/2018 of 22 August - Approves the legal regime for the operation of local accommodation establishments
Article 12
General requirements

1 - Local accommodation establishments must comply with the following requirements:

a) Present adequate conditions for the conservation and functioning of the installations and equipment;

b) Be connected to the public water supply network or have a private water supply system with duly controlled origin;

c) Be connected to the public sewer network or equipped with septic tanks dimensioned for the maximum capacity of the establishment;

d) Be provided with hot and cold running water.

2 - The accommodation units of local accommodation establishments must:

a) Have a window or balcony with direct communication to the outside that ensures adequate ventilation and ventilation conditions;

b) Have adequate furniture, equipment and utensils;

c) Have a system that allows the entrance of outside light to be sealed;

d) Have doors equipped with a security system that ensures the privacy of users.

3 - The sanitary facilities of local accommodation establishments must have a security system that guarantees privacy.

4 - Local accommodation establishments must always meet conditions of hygiene and cleanliness.

5 - The regulation of the conditions for the operation and identification of each of the types of local accommodation establishments, will be made by ordinance.

6 - Local accommodation establishments are obliged to have an information book on the operation of the establishment and its internal rules of use, namely including the rules on the collection and selection of urban waste, the operation of household appliances, noise and care to be taken for avoid disturbances that cause discomfort and affect the tranquility and rest of the neighborhood, which must also contain the telephone contact of the person in charge of operating the establishment.

7 - The information book referred to in the previous number must be made available in Portuguese and English and, at least, in two other foreign languages.

8 - In case the establishments are inserted in collective housing buildings, the information book must also contain the regulation with the condominium practices and rules that are relevant for the accommodation and for the use of the common parts.

9 - The person in charge of the establishment must make the telephone contact available to the condominium.