Police Raid Illegal Tourist Accommodations

Police are already starting to crack down on black market rentals of houses and apartments for tourists.

MBL reports that the Reykjavík Area Police, in conjunction with the Directorate of Internal Revenue, have closed four establishments illegally renting out accommodation to tourists. These properties, identified as “homes and apartments”, had no permit to rent out the rooms for this purpose.

Authorities combed over advertisements in newspapers, social media, and sites such as AirBnB through August and September, comparing the properties advertised and seeing whether or not they had the legal right to offer guest accommodation. In addition, tax records were checked to see whether the owners of these properties were filing their taxes in accordance with running a hotel or guesthouse.

Both the police and the tax office say they will continue their supervision of the tourist rental market. Those wishing to rent out their rooms, apartments or houses to tourists are encouraged to apply for a permit to do so before starting business, and to file taxes on the income they receive from the properties.