Tenants in Barcelona are secretly building bathrooms inside rented properties to illegally sublet rooms to tourists as luxury suites. This sophisticated network, dubbed the ‘clandestine toilets gang’, is targeting owners in the Eixample district. They pose as corporate tenants before carrying out unauthorised renovations to maximise rental income. This type of scheme thrives amidst a challenging property market. Recent reports indicate that Catalonia’s housing crisis is set to worsen.
The scam came to light when a property owner discovered her recently renovated flat had been radically altered without permission. The main bedroom, which originally included a kitchen, was being marketed on Airbnb for over €150 a night. To justify the price, the tenants had constructed a new bathroom in what was previously a laundry room. They also blocked off internal doors to create a private suite.
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Home » Illegal Tourist Apartments Barcelona: ‘Clandestine Toilet Gang’ Scam Exposed
Unauthorised renovations exposed by ‘clandestine toilet gang’
Marta Martín, a lawyer at AM2 Legal, detailed how the deception unfolded. Her client, an Italian woman, had bought and renovated a 100-square-metre apartment between Carrer de València and Carrer d’Aribau. She needed to rent the property temporarily before moving in herself. A luxury real estate agency then introduced tenants described as ‘ideal’—fellow Italians seeking accommodation for their employees.
Suspicion arose when neighbours reported construction noise from the supposedly finished apartment. They soon observed a steady stream of tourists entering and leaving the building. Consequently, the owner checked online platforms. She found photographs of her property that matched the flooring and ceilings. However, the photos featured a bathroom that did not exist in the original floor plan.
To secure evidence, the owner booked the suite herself. Upon arrival, she filmed the interior. In the video, she exclaims as she discovers a fully functional bathroom installed in the former laundry space. While the construction appeared high-quality, lawyer Martín noted that it completely breached urban planning regulations.
The ‘clandestine toilets’ network in Barcelona
City inspectors have linked this case to a broader network of operators running illegal tourist apartments in Barcelona. According to municipal officials, the group is composed of Italian nationals operating through limited liability companies. They have been active in the city since 2018. Currently, they manage at least ten active apartments, though inspectors have detected up to fifteen connected properties.
This method represents an evolution in illegal subletting tactics. Previously, operators might have used plasterboard to divide living rooms for extra beds or installed temporary walls. In contrast, the construction of permanent plumbing and bathrooms without permits marks a more brazen approach. This creates high-value tourist accommodation. Such brazen methods are emerging even as authorities tighten regulations. This contributes to Spain’s tourist housing decline in the official market.
Official investigation targets ‘clandestine toilet gang’
The Barcelona City Council has opened a file on the property for operating as tourist accommodation without a licence. Inspectors confirmed the presence of tourists during on-site visits and located the associated advertisements. The findings will be passed to the Eixample district authorities. They will assess disciplinary proceedings regarding the unauthorised construction work. This investigation is part of a wider city strategy to manage the housing supply. In a related move, the Barcelona Council has approved a new ordinance to secure more properties for residential use.
The Council has been actively targeting organised groups in the sector. Recent data indicates the municipality has identified and acted against numerous mafia-style networks managing illegal rentals.
Despite the evidence, the tenants reacted aggressively when challenged. They sent emails accusing the owner of harassment. Furthermore, they threatened legal action in both Italy and Spain. While the hosting platform initially indicated it would take measures after the owner posted a complaint, the listing remained active for some time. This highlights the difficulties owners face when reclaiming control of their properties from the ‘clandestine toilet gang’.
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