| If you are looking for ways to make money | | | | by a state approved electrician and gas technician; |
| from your property in Portugal and have weighed | | | | each will furnish the would be landlord or landlady |
| up the possibilities of letting your property to | | | | (or their agent) with a certificate confirming that |
| holiday makers, your first course of action must | | | | the building is good for rental and meets detailed |
| be to obtain a commercial letting license from local | | | | standards with respect to the afore-mentioned |
| authorities. This license is known as "Alojamento | | | | utilities. In addition the local Fire Dept. will be |
| Local". | | | | required to conduct an inspection to demonstrate |
| Recently, the government of Portugal tightened | | | | that the building meets fire safety regulations. |
| the laws surrounding property rentals in an | | | | Additional laws relate to the safety of the |
| attempt to improve the quality of accommodation | | | | property. A property must display, prominently, |
| serving domestic tourism. | | | | emergency service numbers and information. |
| Initial efforts by the Portuguese government to | | | | There also has to be an adequate number of fire |
| bring the rental market in Portugal under control | | | | blankets and extinguishers for the size of the |
| were, at best, unclear and many owners and | | | | building and all appliances for the use of guests |
| property management companies were not able | | | | must have proper instructions. If a property |
| to understand the legal amendments actioned. | | | | provides in excess of 50 beds, it must be fitted |
| Largely because of this, the changes have now | | | | with a dedicated fire alarm and telephone line and |
| been simplified and fines for non-compliance are | | | | the property owner will need to hand in an |
| currently being served on property owners and | | | | additional fire safety approval upon application. |
| management companies renting non-licensed real | | | | On the subject of hygiene, a proposed rental |
| estate in Portugal. | | | | property must offer a laundry service that |
| Financial penalties can be considerable ranging | | | | delivers clean linen at leat once in every seven |
| between 2,500 and 25,000 Euros. Any property | | | | days. |
| owner who wants to rent their property must, | | | | A complaints book for tenants or guests is |
| therefore, act promptly and apply for the new | | | | required under the new legislation and complaints |
| rental license before embarking on any rental | | | | will need to be directed to the relevant authorities. |
| program. | | | | Once you are ready to apply for Alojamento |
| Before any property can be considered suitable | | | | Local, you will need to hand in your application, |
| for public rental there are a number of | | | | along with supporting documentation to the local |
| prerequisites that need to be met. The property | | | | council responsible for the district in which your |
| must be in good condition and not be unsafe or in | | | | building resides. Additional paperwork includes: |
| a state of ill repair. Property must have a fresh, | | | | acceptable identification, the habitation license |
| hot and cold running water supply and be | | | | issued for your property, certificates provided by |
| connected to either a septic tank or mains | | | | the inspecting gas, electrical and fire officials, a |
| sewage. The rental property must exhibit | | | | plan of the property and the associated tax |
| adequate furnishing, have good ventilation and be | | | | documentation for letting property in Portugal. |
| fitted with devices such as shutters or blinds to | | | | The process of applying for a commercial rental |
| prevent light entering the building. The property | | | | license for a property in Portugal can be difficult |
| must also reach adequate security levels with | | | | and time consuming. Factor in the fact that most |
| locking doors and have a bathroom for every | | | | government departments will expect you to |
| three bedrooms. In accordance with legal | | | | speak in Portuguese when applying and it may be |
| definition, a bathroom must contain one toilet, a | | | | worth considering authorising a local agent to |
| sink and a shower or bath. | | | | apply on your behalf. |
| All potential rental properties must be inspected | | | | |