TSR, Fre - Seven Valais communes, including Verbier, will not be able to sell property to foreigners in 2007, the canton has decided. The announcement comes in the wake of growing concern about the number of "cold" beds in shuttered chalets that are second homes, rarely used. The communes affected are: Bagnes (Verbier), Grimentz, Hérémence, Nendaz, Riddes, Val d'Illiez and Veysonnaz.
The Valais has one of the highest rates of second homes, some 35% of all property according to Pro Natura (pdf). The canton's decision to temporarily halt sales was made because of a growing and unmanageable backlog of authorizations for sales to foreigners, now at 1,000 versus the 300 or so the canton considers acceptable. During 2007 the canton will review how the communes process property sales to foreigners. The review will help ensure that the canton's goal of reducing the number of cold beds is respected, said Michel Cina, head of the cantonal finance office.
Crans-Montana a year ago took a similar step in the face of plans to build 65,000m2 of new chalets in nearby Aminona. Residents of the resort and nearby communes will vote in March 2007 on new plans to manage property sales in the region.
Additional: Sixieme Dimension, Crans-Montana. (continue reading)→