Should Holiday Rentals And Airbnbs Be Regulated More Than They Are Now?

Spain’s crackdown connected forbidden vacation rentals has reignited statement complete short-term rental regulation. In July, Airbnb complied pinch a court-upheld bid to region astir 66,000 listings lacking required licence numbers aliases clear big details, and authorities person since flagged moreover much properties. The mobility now is whether platforms for illustration Airbnb should look moreover stricter controls to protect residents’ lodging rights, without affecting tourism. So, we asked our readers, should vacation rentals and Airbnbs beryllium regulated much than they are now?

Yolanda North said, “YES. There are still measurement excessively galore owners renting and not paying a penny of taxes.” Angela Edgley agreed: “Absolutely. Would ne'er rent a vacation location without a licence. Some are conscionable money laundering properties… Airbnb are nan worse culprits,” and Clive Hedley Jones called for “much more, and constricted successful numbers per district.”

Others based on that nan privilege should beryllium enforcing existing rules. Bev Townsend said, “The ineligible vacation lets are already heavy regulated. Shut down nan forbidden ones.” Dave Williams said, “No, nan regulations are successful spot now. They’re not being enforced properly… what’s nan constituent of adding moreover more?” and David Chapman noted, “Makes nary quality really galore regulations location are if owners take to disregard them.”

Some readers said nan reply depends connected location. Deb Horses explained, “It each depends. A large metropolis is 1 thing, but mini towns and definite formation areas are another… Ibiza, location is simply a superior deficiency of housing… Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga & Sevilla are moving towards nan aforesaid problem… nary lodging problem successful those sleepy coastal towns… Hotels salary tons of taxes but backstage rentals are usually black-market truthful thing needs to beryllium done.”

Others opposed further regularisation outright. Smara Chiorean argued, “No, it is already complete regulated present successful Spain. The title will ‘regulate’… Nobody will book a debased rated picnic rental, aliases a rude host…” Roberto von Harris said, “Why would you want immoderate much regulation… if it’s your property… it’s yours to do pinch arsenic you wish.”

While a fewer readers opposed further controls, and immoderate stressed tailoring measures to location, nan overwhelming mostly of commenters supported stricter regularisation of vacation rentals and Airbnbs to curb abuses and protect housing. The statement continues, but it’s clear that galore judge stronger oversight is basal to equilibrium tourism pinch nan needs of section communities.

See past week’s EWN poll