Tourism licences

[biffa]

I am reliably informed that staff from the Inspecção Geral das Actividaes Economicas (IGAE) , the body that makes sure that products and services in Portugal are safe and comply with current standards, have been enquiring about licences held by house owners that let property for tourism purposes. They have been to one villa manager at least and asked for a list of all properties that are let out.

I don't know much about such licensing except that it was enforced follwing some unfortunate deaths of tourists through gas asphyxiation back in the 80's. Since then it seems to have been "forgotten". Maybe any owners at risk should ask their villa managers for details of what is required?

[Gambrinus]

The gas certification system has been in place for several years now and should be standard in all houses that posess a gas installation and are being comercialized. In fact, some of the more concious travel agencies will demand gas certificates for the houses they contract before they put the first client in the house.

The downside to this whole endeavour is, that there are only very few certified companies that can actually issue such a certificate and even less companies that are authorised/qualified to preform the installation. To add insult to injury, the rules for gas installations are being modified on a regular basis thus forcing every owner to constantly update and installation to comply with the new rules. Wether this is necessary or simply a means to make money is debatable, but it certainly makes certification a painfull process to get through.
A certificate without reservations will be valid for two years before it has to be renewed.

My recomendation is to gradually eliminate gas appliances completely by installing a ceramic hobs and solar water heaters. People with gas central heating or gas pool heaters will have a bit of a larger task to convert, but it may pay off in the long run as the cost for gas has also seen a gradual increase over the past years. (45kg of butane have gone from €54 to €61 in a little over a year)

[biffa]

We are told by the IGAE that any letting for touristic purposes needs a licence that in principal a house or apartment would need a licence from the Direcção Geral de Tourismo in Lisbon whilst rooms are normally licenced by the Câmara. They suggest checking with the local Câmara Municipal to clarify specific cases.

[Guest]

fancy that another licence needed for doing something in portugall.....I understand that you will need a licence soon every time you use the toilet..its called a Licencer do crap ....the process only takes 6 weeks...those wanting to go must just be patient and wait (dont cross your legs ..you need a licence for that too)

[Barry]

Would agree with Gambrinus on eliminating gas appliances. This what we have just done with our villa, even though we don't rent out. The refurbished kitchen and laundry look so much better without the ugly gas water heater, and the cooker which needed a visible off tap. Gas is now only for the BBQ!

[tbbr]

In the planned villa ( was 2006 Now ??? ) she who does the cooking wanted gas but our builder warned us against it saying that we would not be able to rent ( or insure ) the villa without a whole load of permits etc.

If and when natural gas reaches CVO perhaps things will change ??

[Cat]

You also need a certificate to show your gas is all in order in the UK when you are renting property out. Maybe the Portuguese are responsible for that also?

[Lesley Jean]

I am soooooo grateful for the fact that houses in the UK have to have certificates of safety from the gasboards, both my daughters are renting one in London and the other in Canterbury. The house my youngest is now in for the last year of her Uni, is to say the least a tip...it was rented by three blokes last year who decided to trash the place before they left, smashing doors and windows, grafiti on the walls, stains on the walls and carpets etc. etc. All of which are slowly being repaired by the landlord, thank God the cooker and central heating boiler has been checked, I would hate to think what might happen if they had broken them in some way without the knowledge of the landlord and had not been fixed and brought up to safety standards........sorry this is slightly of subject. I do think that a safety certificate is a very good idea.

[Barry]

In response to tbbr, we have always used gas for cooking (and heating) in UK. Now that we are all electric in CVO, my wife's solution is to leave most of the cooking to me - outside with the BBQ. As she says, it's a shame to get the new ceramic hob dirty.

[Guest]

she who does the cooking wanted gas

Do men still speak like that down there in Somerset?

No wonder you like the Algarve so much...little wife in the kitchen and all that macho twaddle

Don't wish to offend but think that was quite...no, very patronising statement.

[Guest]

Whoops, didn't sign in. That was me...Bruxy.

I am sure Gambo would have spotted where that comment came from without me owning up

[tbbr]

He who does the cleaning, gardening , decorating etc apologies most profusely.

[Jak]

Oh dear tbbr you just can't help but make it worse do you mean that she who cooks never cleans, gardens, decorates.
I'm not sure I believe you.

[tbbr]

As my wife has melted 3 hoovers ( don,t ask me how ) its too expensive to let her do the cleaning.

She hates getting dirt under her finger nails , I do the gardening nad as for decorating I like doing it.

[Bruxinha]

Apologies accepted

I was just told that "she" was a cat

Not ever having the nerve to commit to that hallowed institution I maybe don't understand the married couple lingo. I suppose it is better than not talking to or about each other at all