Amsterdam has made a decision to ban Airbnb and similar holiday rental platforms from three districts in the city. In the remainder of the city, holiday rentals are now only permitted with a permit, which limits renting homes to tourists for a maximum of 30 nights per year.
Amsterdam’s Efforts to Balance Tourism and Local Life
The city conducted a comprehensive survey of residents and local organizations prior to making these important decisions. Approximately 75% of respondents supported the ban on home rental operations in the districts of Burgwallen-Oude Zijde, Burgwallen-Nieuwe Zijde, and Grachtengordel-Zuid. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for local residents, as tourism has placed significant pressure on the community. Currently, one in 15 homes in Amsterdam is offered for online rental, and the market has seen considerable growth in recent years.
Moreover, with the implemented permit system in other districts, any dwelling offered for rent must be the primary residence of the host. From July 1, a maximum of 30 nights per year can be rented to a maximum of four guests. It is also mandatory for hosts to report to the municipality each time their home is rented. The European Services Directive permits restrictions on tourist rentals only when there is a compelling public interest. Consequently, the city council can intervene in districts where the imbalance due to tourism has been demonstrably adversely affected.
In response to these changes, Airbnb expressed its concerns, stating that it believes these proposals could be illegal and infringe upon the fundamental rights of local residents. Furthermore, Airbnb has introduced new tools aimed at managing noise and other disturbances, which have been acknowledged by Alderman Ivens and the national government. The company remains committed to working collaboratively with Amsterdam to develop long-term solutions for home-sharing, rather than relying on short-term measures that may confuse and adversely affect residents and small businesses during these challenging times.
The city of Amsterdam plans to reevaluate the situation in two years, potentially leading to additional restrictions on holiday rentals in other neighborhoods.
