Learn how to regularize the rental of a lodging property in Ecuador

Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism seeks to regulate informal accommodations – these include properties that are being promoted on Airbnb.

Some users have doubts about the fluidity and speed of this process. Hence, the Minister of Tourism, Rosi Prado de Holguín, is providing information on the matter. She describes the Regulation of Accommodation in Real Estate for Tourist Use, which will enter into force after 90 days, as a “safe and friendly” process.

People who engage in this type of activities will have a tool on the website of the Ministry of Tourism (MinTur) that will guide them step by step.

The process starts by providing a copy of the original payment of the Municipal Patent, copy of the RUC, copy of the ballot and voting paper of the legal representative, a certificate of land use.

To obtain this last document you must register on the page of the MinTur and wait for the visit of an inspector, who will evaluate the property within a maximum period of 30 days.

After this, the payment of 1 x 1000 of the cost of the property is passed, annual contribution established in the Tourism Law.

Once the owner or representative has these documents, he must enter the digital tool, which will be available on the same day that the Regulation is published in the Official Registry, to complete the information requested by the system.

The last step is to wait for the verification inspection and control of the registered properties. In case of non-compliance with the requirements or the delivery of erroneous information, the owner will receive a sanction, which varies between USD 1,000 and 5,000, contemplated by the Tourism Law.

The Minister affirms that those who fail to comply with the process within 90 days, once the Regulation has been published, can extend the process time.

Sources: El Comercio and El Universo