Brussels and nine other major European cities have voiced concerns over the increasing presence of large-scale tourist rentals of homes via platforms such as Airbnb within their cities.
The reaction is motivated by an opinion by the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice that the "Airbnb portal constitutes an information society service," a blow to countries looking to regulate the company further.
Following the opinion, the cities are now asking for new rules in Europe to protect the housing market and guarantee the quality of life in cities, reports HLN.
"More urban holiday rentals are damaging to the vulnerable housing market and will further affect the quality of life", said the ten cities.
Recognising that tourism is an important source of income and employment for many, cities are not opposed to this form of rental, providing it is done responsibly, and if the necessary rules are put in place. This requires cooperation with national governments, but also Europe- wide.
The cities sounding the alarm are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bordeaux, Brussels, Kraków, Munich, Paris, Valencia and Vienna.
Jules Johnston
The Brussels Times
