Airbnb and other short-term online rental outfits are fighting bans in several cities - residents of those cities are up in arms as too much housing stock is taken up by short-term rentals and this has caused a spike in longer-term rentals.
According to the independent.co.uk, Florence, Italy has announced a ban on new short-term private holiday rentals such as Airbnb listings in the city centre, while euronews.com reports that a similar de facto ban has been implemented in New York City since June 1.
This was after it was found that the more short-term rentals an area has, the higher the surrounding land value becomes, limiting affordable housing options for city residents.
As one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions, Florence has seen its housing stock depleted by short-term rental stays of less than 30 days.
Ap.org reported a comment from the Major of Florence, Dario Nardella, saying the ban is “daring” but legally defensible. “If we don’t try to take politically disruptive actions, no one makes a move,” said Nardella, referring to the Italian government’s plan to limit the number of days a property can be rented out in Venice.
However, the ban will not target the 8 000 short-term rentals already existing in the historic centre of Florence, an Unesco World Heritage Site with its 13th century cathedral, Uffizi Gallery and Palazzo Pitti. Rather, there are plans to offer a tax incentive to owners who convert their properties back to long-term rentals.
The New York short-term rental ban has been met with a lawsuit from Airbnb. The ban requires renters to register with the mayor’s office, disclosing all the people living on the property and committing to comply with land zoning, construction and maintenance ordinances.
Airbnb has called these restrictions “extreme and oppressive”, saying that New York did not consider reasonable alternatives to the problem, leaving them with no choice but to sue. “Taken together, these features of the registration scheme appear intended to drive the short-term rental trade out of New York City once and for all,” said Airbnb.
New York Mayoral spokesperson Johan Allon said: “This administration is committed to protecting safety and community livability for residents, preserving permanent housing stock, and ensuring our hospitality sector can continue to recover and thrive".
Opponents to Airbnb in New York have raised concerns regarding how short-term rentals have contributed to a shortage of affordable housing for local residents.
