Brussels allows unlimited short-term rentals, unlike Dutch municipalities
The European Commission has proposed new legislation allowing cities to restrict commercial short-term rentals while protecting the right of residents to rent out their primary homes. This creates a potential conflict with municipalities like Amsterdam, which currently enforce strict limitations on individual homeowners to combat housing shortages and overtourism.
The European Commission has introduced a new legislative proposal aimed at regulating short-term tourist rentals across Europe. The bill allows cities to restrict commercial rentals if they can prove significant disruption to local housing markets, such as rising prices and reduced availability for residents. However, the proposal explicitly protects the rights of individuals to rent out their primary residences, a stance that conflicts with current local policies in Dutch cities like Amsterdam.
Amsterdam currently enforces strict limits on the number of nights residents can rent out their homes, a strategy designed to combat mass tourism and noise nuisance. While existing local policies are permitted to continue, the new European framework leaves municipalities without reinforced legal backing for these restrictions. Amsterdam’s housing alderman, Zita Pels, has expressed mixed feelings regarding the proposal, fearing it may not sufficiently prioritize housing for residents over commercial rental interests. The legislation still requires approval from the European Parliament and member states before taking effect.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
