Procedures for opening a B&B

[Jimbo]

I have two freinds who are seriously thinking about turning their property into a B&B. It is a property that they already own outright, and they have 3 outbuildings in very good condition that they believe they would be able to turn into small apartments quite easily.
They seem keen to go ahead and do this, renting the apartments 'in the black', but I am trying to convince them that they would be much better off doing this legally and going for Tourist board approval and marketing to a much wider range of would-be clients.
The are starting to consider what I have said, but for all my so-called advice, I have no idea at all HOW they should go about doing this.... any ideas ?

[MrGrumpy]

I'm no expert, but I would have thought that (assuming that they are financing this themselves) they need to communicate with two people : A GOOD Gestor who is expereinced in this kind of thing, and the Ayuntamiento. Most Auntamientos should be quite helpful if you are looking to open up a new business in these times, especially if you are showing that you are keen to do everything legally and above board.

[JoGreen]

I would recommend speaking with your local Tourism office as soon as possible to get them on board. Firstly, they would be able to advise you the exact legal procedures that you would need to go through in order to register yourself as a fully legal entity, but secondly they have a number of criteria specific for each type of property, such as fire extinguishers and emergency lighting, number of and pitch of steps to the property etc... If they were involved at an early stage it would help with any architects plans and ammendments that may need to be made to the property already.
I am part-way doing this for a number of properties at my work, and know that it would have saved a lot of time and expense if it could have been allowed for when the properties were originally built.

[Gulliver]

^^^^ Good advice ^^^^

[AJC]

Apologies for coming to this one a bit late.
The others have all given good advice, but of course any advice you are given is likely to vary considerably depending upon which province and Municipality the property falls within.
I know, from the link I have included (below) that the Regional Government of Andalucia are cracking down on how they regulate Casas Rurales and other Rural Accomodation.
>> http://www.andaluciaturismodigital.com/ ... nido=15632

[Gulliver]

Apologies for coming to this one a bit late.
The others have all given good advice, but of course any advice you are given is likely to vary considerably depending upon which province and Municipality the property falls within.
I know, from the link I have included (below) that the Regional Government of Andalucia are cracking down on how they regulate Casas Rurales and other Rural Accomodation.
>> http://www.andaluciaturismodigital.com/ ... nido=15632

It's not just Andalucia - I think that every Region (together with Central Government) are exploiting any means of revenue through taxation that may have previously slipped through the net. And this includes private Villa and Apartment rentals aswell.