Business · Companies · 17 hrs ago
Experts warn Mexico City rental rules could fuel a black market
Experts warn tighter rules on short-term tourist rentals in Mexico City could create a black market and weaken investor confidence.
The capital has a shortage of more than 700,000 homes, and experts say the rules may not fix it.
The city announced a mandatory digital registry for rental platforms and hosts in May.
Since then, short-term rental occupancy has fallen 7% year on year, according to one expert.
The rules aim to give authorities more control and encourage homes to shift to long-term rentals, but regulation does not automatically make homes available for long-term rent.
An industry representative said short-term rentals in the city grew 54% over the past year, while demand for long-term rentals also remains strong.
In the first half of 2026, long-term rents rose 3.7% to an average of 21,921 pesos a month for a two-bedroom, 65-square-metre apartment.
Experts warn that tighter rules for short-term rentals in Mexico City could encourage a black market and weaken investor confidence.
They say the rules may not resolve the city’s housing deficit, which is more than 700,000 homes.
The city government announced a mandatory digital registry for temporary accommodation platforms and hosts in May.
Short-term rental occupancy had fallen 7 percent year on year since the registry was announced, according to Justino Moreno.
Jenny Althair Rivas Padilla said regulation would not automatically return homes to the traditional rental market.
- Who
- Real estate and rental-market experts, including Justino Moreno and Jenny Althair Rivas Padilla.
- What
- Experts warn that tighter rules on short-term rentals could fuel a black market and reduce investor confidence.
- When
- The article was published on October 15, 2026; the government announced the registry in May.
- Where
- Mexico City, Mexico.
- Why
- Experts say regulation may not shift homes into long-term rentals or solve the city’s housing deficit.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mexico City’s government announced the launch of a mandatory digital registry for temporary accommodation platforms and hosts.
Long-term rents rose 3.7 percent, reaching an average of 21,921 pesos per month for a 65-square-metre, two-bedroom apartment.
El Financiero published experts’ warnings about the possible effects of tighter short-term rental rules.
- Housing deficit
- More than 700,000 homes
- Occupancy change
- Down 7 percent year on year since the registry announcement
- Short-term rental growth
- 54 percent in Mexico City over the past year
- Long-term rent increase
- 3.7 percent in the first half of 2026
- Average monthly rent
- 21,921 pesos for a 65-square-metre, two-bedroom apartment
What people are saying
One of the main problems or threats is the creation of a black market; this has already been seen in other countries.
Having regulation does not mean that you will automatically recover a home for traditional rental.
There is a market niche and that need has to be met.