September 9th 2024.
The rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and booking.com was initially met with excitement from travelers looking for affordable accommodation options while also providing homeowners the opportunity to earn extra income. However, the honeymoon phase seems to be over as locals in various European cities have voiced their complaints against these rentals, citing issues such as housing shortages, noise disturbances, and a decline in community cohesion.
As a result, many city officials and governments have implemented restrictions on short-term rentals, although none have outright banned them. Popular destinations such as London, Edinburgh, Paris, Czechia, and Rome have all introduced their own versions of regulations to address the concerns.
For instance, in London, hosts are required to adhere to the 90-day rule, which limits the number of days a property can be rented out in a year. Attempts to bypass this rule can result in hefty fines and strict enforcement. Similarly, in Paris, hosts must register their properties with local authorities and can only rent out their primary residence for a maximum of 120 days per year. Secondary residences can also be rented out, but with the requirement of informing the city.
In Edinburgh, all hosts must obtain a license from the council before listing their property for short-term rental. The fees for this license can range from £120 per occupant for primary residences to thousands of pounds for secondary residences. However, obtaining a license also requires homeowners to obtain a "change of use" planning permission, which may be challenging for those living in communal buildings.
In Czechia, the government plans to give municipalities the power to limit short-term rentals, including capping the number of days a property can be rented and requiring a minimum amount of space per guest. Homeowners would also need to register their property and guest details on an e-platform. These regulations are set to come into effect in July next year.
Similarly, in Rome, where there were over 21,000 active short-term rentals in 2023, hosts must follow a registration process and comply with the city's rental regulations. The city center only allows detached single-family homes for vacation rentals, while multi-unit buildings outside the center can only rent out 25% of their units, with a separate entrance for long-term residents.
The growing concerns surrounding short-term rentals have sparked discussions about the need for regulation. Marina Novelli, a professor of marketing and tourism at Nottingham University Business School, believes that while platforms like Airbnb have contributed to the issue of overtourism, the root cause lies in the lack of government policies and inadequate planning and regulation. She also mentions that a blanket ban on short-term rentals is not a solution, and a more balanced approach is needed, taking into account the unique challenges faced by each destination.
In the end, it is essential to strike a balance between the needs of the tourism industry and the well-being of local communities. As Professor Novelli puts it, both play a vital role in the success and sustainability of a city. Therefore, it is crucial for officials to carefully assess and implement regulations that address the concerns of all parties involved.
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