September 4th 2024.
There seems to be a growing trend among European cities to regulate short-term rentals, following the recent controversy surrounding Airbnb-style accommodations in Czechia. These rental platforms were initially welcomed by tourists as a budget-friendly option, while also providing homeowners with an opportunity to earn extra income. However, it appears that the locals have reached their limit, citing issues such as housing shortages and noise disturbances caused by these rentals.
Several cities, including London, Berlin, Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and Paris, have already implemented various restrictions on short-term rentals, but none have completely banned them. Now, Czechia is proposing to give municipalities the power to limit these types of accommodations. This could include setting a cap on the number of days a property can be rented out per year and requiring a minimum amount of space per guest. According to Euronews, these measures are similar to those already in place in cities like Berlin, Venice, and Rome.
In addition to these restrictions, homeowners would also be required to register their rental properties and provide guest information on an e-platform called eTurista. This platform would assign a registration number that must be displayed on all online property listings. These new rules are set to take effect in July of next year. In Prague, city officials have already taken action to address the negative impact of tourism, particularly in the historic Old Town where locals have reportedly been driven away. The new rules are aimed at reducing noise disturbances and will also limit the number of tourist apartments allowed in city centers.
Marina Novelli, a professor of marketing and tourism at Nottingham University Business School, believes that regulation is necessary in the short-term rental market, which has "spun out of control." However, she argues that platforms like Airbnb and booking.com are not solely responsible for the issue of overtourism. According to her, the root of the problem lies in the lack of government policies, inadequate regulation, and the implementation of quick fixes that may not be effective in the long run.
For instance, the recent introduction of a €5 entry fee in Venice has been met with criticism from locals who feel that the city has become like a "theme park." Novelli believes that a one-size-fits-all approach to controlling short-term rentals is not feasible, as the issues surrounding them vary from city to city and even between urban and rural areas. She emphasizes the need for a balance between regulating these rentals and preserving the well-being of the local community and the tourism experience.
In London, short-term rentals are limited to 90 days per year, and hosts must register and pay a fee. However, officials in Czechia estimate that up to 70% of short-term stays go unreported, resulting in a loss of more than £26 million annually. This move comes in the midst of a summer of discontent over tourism in popular European holiday destinations, including Tenerife, where locals have called for tourists to go home. In response, officials have announced a new tax that will be charged to tourists visiting locations like Mount Teide from January 1, 2025.
While the city of Barcelona is considering a ban on short-term rentals by 2028, this plan has not yet been approved. It seems that the debate over short-term rentals and their impact on local communities is ongoing, and there is a growing recognition that a balance must be struck in order to maintain the well-being of both residents and tourists in these popular destinations.
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