Goal: explain who you can rent to, under what conditions, what you must not do, and clear up the “10-day” confusion.

What exactly is a Tourist-Use Dwelling (VUT) in the Valencian Community?

Legal definition: a whole property that is provided for tourist purposes for ≤ 10 consecutive days to the same tenant, with a favourable municipal urban-planning compatibility report (and any other required titles) and registration in the Register. Room-by-room rental is not allowed. Registration is valid for 5 years.
Town halls (e.g., Dénia) may set proportionate urban-planning limits (maximum number of VUTs per building/area).

The famous 10-day rule (and why it affects you)

≤ 10 days (240 hours): it is VUT → you need planning compatibility and registration; all tourist obligations apply (advertising with registration number, internal rules, complaint forms, etc.).
> 10 days / 240 consecutive hours with the same tenant: it is not considered tourist use regulated by the Generalitat Valenciana and falls outside tourism regulations. Important: if you were already registered as VUT and declared a tourist operating period, you cannot sign contracts of more than 10 days within that period without changing it first; if you do, you may be removed from the Register.

If you can’t obtain a VUT in Dénia, who can you rent to (legally)?

A) Seasonal rental (non-tourist)

For temporary stays (temporary work, studies, renovations, remote work for months…).
Legal basis: as it is not “tourist” (it exceeds 10 days and is not marketed through tourist channels), it does not require VUT registration. Strengthen the temporary “cause” in the contract and avoid “hotel-like” services.

B) Medium/long-term residential rental

Use as the tenant’s main residence (it is advisable to have justification that it is not for tourist purposes).
Outside the scope of regional tourism rules (no VUT registration required).

C) Renting to companies for relocated staff

A common route on the coast. Structure it as a seasonal rental (with a clear cause) and without accommodation/hospitality services.

What you must not do if you are not a VUT

Short stays (≤ 10 days) for tourist purposes.
Room-by-room rental for tourist purposes (explicitly prohibited; a very serious infringement if operated/marketed/advertised).
Advertising on tourist channels (tourist purpose is presumed and VUT rules apply).
If you are already registered and declared a tourist operating period, do not mix non-tourist contracts within that period without changing it first (risk of removal).

Do I have to submit traveller reports if I rent without being a VUT?

Royal Decree 933/2021 obliges those who carry out accommodation activities, professional or not, to register and report traveller data; it defines accommodation as providing an overnight stay in exchange for a price, with or without additional services.
The Ministry of the Interior provides the SES.Hospedajes platform (Ministry e-office) to comply with this obligation; there was an adaptation period until 01/10/2024.
Recommended practice: if your non-tourist rental involves overnight stays (e.g., seasonal), register and comply for legal certainty. Regional FAQs remind of this obligation for VUTs and refer to SES.Hospedajes.

Homeowners’ community and urban planning

The community may limit or condition tourist activity (art. 17.12 LPH); for it to be enforceable against third parties, it is advisable that it appears in the bylaws and is registered. The FAQs underline this.
The Town Hall may establish proportionate quotas/urban-planning limits on VUTs (art. 64 bis).

Quick checklist (copy/paste)

Choose the model:
- If you want short stays (≤ 10 days) → you need VUT (if you can’t, don’t do it).
- If you’re targeting > 10 days → seasonal or residential (non-tourist).
Seasonal contract: state the temporary cause, duration, deposit and bills; avoid “hotel-like” services.
Advertising: do not use tourist channels or terms that place you under VUT.
Traveller registration: consider complying with RD 933/2021 via SES.Hospedajes.
Community/planning: check agreements and planning in case you ever want VUT in the future.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent by rooms if I’m not a VUT?

If the activity is tourist (or advertised as such), no: room-by-room rental is prohibited.
In non-tourist contexts, it’s the riskiest area: it is easy for it to be classified as accommodation (and then RD 933/2021 applies).

Can I alternate “tourist months” and seasonal months?

If you are registered as VUT and declared a tourist operating period, do not mix stays of more than 10 nights within that period without changing it first (risk of removal).

Do I need a registration number, internal rules and complaint forms?

Only if you are VUT: advertising with registration number, internal rules and complaint forms are required under the tourist regime.

Conclusion (for Dénia)

If planning rules or your building prevent VUT, you can still earn income through contracts of more than 10 days (seasonal/residential). Take care with the contract, avoid signs of tourist accommodation, and consider complying with SES.Hospedajes. This way you operate legally and without clashing with tourism regulations.

Legal references used

Decree-Law 9/2024, Consell (Valencian Community): VUT definition (≤ 10 nights), prohibition of room-by-room rental, planning compatibility, advertising with registration number, municipal planning limits, 5-year validity.
Official VUT FAQs (GVA, 30/08/2024): effects of 11+ nights, operating periods and removal for mixing regimes, complaint forms, traveller registration.
Royal Decree 933/2021 (Interior Ministry): definition of accommodation and obligations to register and report (SES.Hospedajes platform).
LPH (reminder via FAQs): possibility of limiting tourist activity by homeowners’ community agreement (art. 17.12).