Amsterdam bans vacation rentals in the city center
real estate speculation , disproportionate rise in land price in cities , neighbors who cannot afford such rents and decide to head for the suburbs. And suddenly, the center of European cities becomes a large amusement park sold to tourists.
Thus, platforms like Airbnb that were born under the umbrella of the so-called ‘sharing economy’ , today they detach themselves without blushing from it to become massive destruction weapons of the neighboring cities (and we say 'massive' because of the ability to favor the overtourism).
In Amsterdam, after analyzing a survey issued to citizens, They have decided that they no longer . From 1st of July , will extend the ban on vacation rentals in three neighborhoods in the epicenter of the city (Burgwallen-Oude Zijde, Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde and Grachtengordel-Zuid ): ”in these neighborhoods, the quality of life of the residents is so pressured by tourism that it is necessary to prohibit vacation rentals ”, reads the official statement from the City Council. A report from the OIS department (Research, Information and Statistics) of the Dutch capital is responsible for pointing out these three neighborhoods as the ones that suffer the most from this massive tourism.
And what about the rest of Amsterdam? Homes interested in this type of business they will be able to do so under the ‘30 day rule’ , as they call it in the statement; that is, in addition to a special permission from the city administration to carry out said tourist rental, this can only be rented for a maximum of 30 days a year . The fine for breaking the rule? If the house or part of it is rented in these three neighborhoods or without permission in the rest, the fine of €20,750.
AND WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE RIGHT OF THE HOMEOWNER TO RENT THEIR ROOMS OR HOUSES?
“Does no one think about the owners?” In the owners, yes; in mutual funds, no. The inhabitants of these neighbourhoods, like the rest of the residents of Amsterdam, have voted in a survey in which they have decided on the future of the city. 75% are in favor of this measure (and, of course, within this percentage are owners who want to rent their home but in the long term). According to the City Council report “ there are Amsterdammers who prefer a complete ban on vacation rentals in the entire city. But that is not feasible with current laws and regulations”.
And he continues “The so-called ‘European Services Directive’ establishes that we can only limit the tourist rental if there is an urgent reason of public interest . That is why we can only intervene in those neighborhoods where the balance has been seriously disrupted”.
REVIEWABLE MEASURES
The measure will become effective this Wednesday, July 1 and, in two years , a review of the situation will be carried out to consider whether to prohibit renting in more neighborhoods of the city.
“The tourist rental of homes has grown strongly in recent years. For example, 1 in 15 households in Amsterdam offer this service . The offer on the various rental platforms has multiplied by five; it is about 25,000 ads per month . This growth has increasingly negative consequences for coexistence in neighboring neighborhoods”, concludes the report.
Now, it only remains to wait to see if these measures shed a light for the inhabitants of the city and to achieve the long-awaited responsible tourism balance.