EU Rental Restrictions

European Union plans to give cities greater power to limit short-term rentals.

The European Union is planning to give European cities greater power to limit short-term rentals such as Airbnb and holiday rentals in areas deemed "under housing stress". The move is part of an "affordable housing" package aimed at addressing what EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has called a "social crisis". The commission's Affordable Housing Act aims to provide cities with legal cover and clarify when authorities can limit short lets without falling under EU single market rules. The legislation will not affect landlords who rent out their primary residence for short periods of time. Short rentals account for only about 1.2 percent of the European Union's housing stock but can reach as much as 20 percent in popular districts of some tourist destinations.

Topics