The European Commission wants to tighten the short-term rules rental of apartments, thus more strictly regulating the activities of suppliers specified as Airbnb. On Wednesday, the Brussels-based Authority proposed appropriate provisions to address housing shortages in popular tourist destinations.
The initiative besides aims to harmonise rules across Europe. "A year ago, I promised to address the issue of affordable housing in Europe," said the Commission president Ursula von der Leyen ( 67). "Today we are taking a step in this direction". This will supply greater transparency and support for local authorities, which should adapt their approach to local conditions.
"We have a housing crisis, we gotta act," said the EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing in Brussels, Dan Jørgensen (51). Short-term rental is part of the problem, although it is not the only cause.
Until now, cities specified as Paris, Barcelona and Venice have introduced different rules against rental platforms, which has led to respective legal disputes. Moreover, in the past, especially young people, have protested housing shortages and rising rents caused by a vacation rental boom.
The proposal now provides for a single legal framework across Europe. According to them, the authorities may designate areas with limited access to housing, for example if the relation between property and income prices is high. Any regulation must be based on facts and limited to the areas concerned. Before the government enters into force, the EU associate States and the European Parliament inactive request to approve the proposal in the coming months.
Jørgensen explained that the bill would not solve housing problems immediately. "We know that it will not supply affordable housing for everyone in Europe overnight – that is obvious," said the EU Commissioner. However, this law will solve the problem that causes people to leave their homes and leave cities.
