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Florence declares "war" on Airbnb-style rentals, their expansion in the center has brought record rents

2023-12-04 13:15:43Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Florence declares "war" on Airbnb-style rentals, their expansion in

Florence, a world reference point for arts, culture and human history, is turning into an "Airbnb city", but also a symbol of resistance against hypertourism in Italy. The proliferation of short-term rentals has sent rents to record highs, driving permanent residents out. Shops for locals are now few in number, while in the city center most buildings have electronic locks that allow tenants to enter their apartment for a short time without having to meet the owner.

In the historic center of Florence – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – 30% of homes are listed on Airbnb, according to a study by Rome's La Sapienza University. Italy has allowed short-term rental platforms to operate largely unregulated, with Airbnb listings in Florence alone more than doubling since 2016. Long-term rentals have risen 42% over the same period, according to the city's mayor, Dario Nardella . The 40,000 residents remaining in central Florence suddenly found themselves living in hotel complexes with high costs, dirty sheets and noise, Nardella pointed out.

The issue of affordable housing came to the fore in Italy this year after students began setting up camps outside universities in Milan, Rome and other cities to protest high rents. Homeowners in the country often prefer to offer their apartments through Airbnb instead of having a long-term tenant, not only because it is more profitable, but also less risky. Italian law makes it difficult to evict long-term tenants who don't pay their rent, and if they have children living with them, it's almost impossible.

In October, the city passed a law banning new listings on the platform. The city hopes to be a pioneer in Italy, showing that the spread of Airbnb can and should be stopped. Professional short-term rental owners and managers are vowing to fight the restrictions legally. The government has again discussed this issue, but so far has not made any serious intervention. The 2024 budget would raise the tax rate on rental income to 26% from 21%, starting with the second apartment the landlord rents out. The top will still be taxed at 21%, in a change that critics say will make little difference.

Other European tourist destinations have also restricted short-term rentals. Amsterdam introduced its first regulations in 2014, according to which apartments cannot be rented out on platforms such as Airbnb for more than 30 days a year. Barcelona, ​​Paris and Berlin have also aggressively restricted short-term rentals. New York City began implementing the new rules in September, with Airbnb criticizing the de facto ban on short-term rentals.


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