Holiday Rental Allocation on Mallorca Teeters on the Edge

IT Glitch Shakes Up Allocation Process

As if someone had hit the reset button: The island council's online registration system, intended to distribute around 650 spots for holiday rentals, has repeatedly crashed. Many who had been preparing for weeks were left staring at a loading screen. Especially frustrating: The order of registration is crucial for allocation—and now that's in question.

The issues started in early September. During peak times, affected users reported more than 300 applications per minute; shortly after, the platform collapsed. This led to chaotic scenes: Landlords, agencies, and even retired couples hoping for a spot have filed complaints en masse. On Calle Sant Miquel in Palma, there was even a discussion in front of a notary on Monday about the order—absurd as it sounds.

The island council is now examining whether the entire process needs to be scrapped and restarted. Administrative staff I've spoken to say they don't want to make a snap decision. That sounds reasonable, but affected landlords are voicing fears for their livelihoods: Some had already confirmed bookings or planned renovations, while others see their chance for a small side income at risk.

Between Frustration and Calls for Alternatives

On the ground, opinions vary. An agent from Cala Major told me over the phone: "This shouldn't happen. They should have run load tests." A hostess from Sóller, in her mid-50s, sent multiple applications in the morning and messaged me via WhatsApp: "I was at the computer for three hours, then everything was gone."

Discussions with associations are already proposing alternatives: Lottery systems, point-based systems based on criteria like sustainability or local ties, or a mix of lottery and prioritization. Technically, much of it seems feasible—but the political and legal implementation isn't always.

At least as intriguing: Who is liable if software errors cause financial damage? The island council has announced it will analyze the log files and bring in external IT specialists. At the same time, talks with the industry are underway to ensure short-term fairness in the process.

Conclusion: For nearly 650 affected parties, the situation is uncertain. Let's hope the administration communicates transparently and reaches a solution quickly—before more reservations are canceled and nerves are frayed. I'll keep following and report back as soon as there are concrete changes.