While travellers love them and are using them in ever-increasing numbers, a number of European cities have asked for help in curbing the “explosive” growth of Airbnb and other holiday rental websites.
Ten cities have asked the EU to help them fight the growth of Airbnb and other rental platforms. Image: Chesnot/Getty Images
Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bordeaux, Brussels, Kraków, Munich, Paris, Valencia and Vienna have come together to ask for the European Union’s assistance in the matter. These cities believe that homes should be used first and foremost for living in, and say that the rentals are locking locals out of housing and changing the face of local neighbourhoods.
A number of European cities have asked for help in curbing the growth of Airbnb and other holiday rental websites. Image: littlewormy/Getty Images
Cities are suffering from a serious housing shortage, they say, and where homes can be used more lucratively for renting out to tourists, they disappear from the traditional housing market. This means that prices are driven up even further and the housing of citizens who live and work in the cities becomes more challenging. The cities have written a joint letter saying that the issue must be on the agenda of the new European Parliament and the incoming European Commission. They are seeking to be allowed to introduce their own regulations around short-term rentals, depending on the local situation.
Some cities believe short-term rentals to visitors are locking locals out of housing. Image: Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images Image by Getty Images
Back in April, a case took place in Paris where the court decided to refer to the EU Court of Justice. The investigating judge asked for a preliminary ruling on whether the services provided by Airbnb Ireland in France benefit from the freedom to provide services, as set out by the E-commerce Directive of the European Union. The Advocate General’s opinion was that Airbnb should be considered a digital information provider rather than a traditional real estate agent.
“Travellers love staying at accommodation provided by short-term rentals. Image: martin-dm/Getty Images
While this was a non-binding opinion, the ten cities are unhappy about what might happen if it is confirmed by the court. They say that the rental platforms could operate in a way that absolves them of responsibility to ensure that landlords comply with local rules around holiday lets. “One thing must be clear,” they say. “A carte blanche for holiday rental platforms is not the solution.”
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