In recent years the controversy about short rentswhich in many countries, in Italy and beyond, have led to dizzying increases. To make it simple, the owners are interested in rapid earnings, above average, without the responsibility of a long management linked to a unique tenant.
The prospect of these revenues, generally inflated in some periods of the year, makes a regular rental contract less attractive, especially in the cities most requested by tourists, which boast a constant flow of travelers. Those who are therefore looking for a house, to live us not to stay there a few days, have to deal with an off -scale tariff, especially in the central areas.
The Symbol of this phenomenon is obviously Airbnbwhich revolutionized the market within a few years. But something is changing and there are those who speak of revolution at the gates. Where did everything start? In New York to be precise.
Airbnb in New York: the rules change
Leaving for a trip to New York and booking an apartment via Airbnb is no longer a great idea. Starting from September 5, 2023, in fact, one New law changes the cards on the table. The legal battle envelope by the giant of short rents is officially lost, unnecessarily carried out against the decisions of the New York authorities. In this way, we only managed to postpone the entry into force of the restrictions announced in 2022 by one year.
The law requires the absolute ban on renting entirely of the apartments for a time frame of less than 30 days. Above this temporal threshold, everything will be regular, as in almost every part of the world. Below, however, it is mandatory that the host resides in the apartment/villa or other. This translates into the dense only of a room, placed in a wider and shared environment. This, however, as long as there are no more than two guests at the same time.
This in order to fight the constant increase in rents in New York and, at the same time, to fight the practice abusive of hoteliers. This second part is clearly highlighted with the obligation of the hosts to register regularly at the specific offices, receiving authorization to start the activity. Important element to underline concerns fines. These can go up to $ 5,000 but only concern the owner and not those who stay.
Fight at Airbnb
How much decreed to New York, precisely from Manhattan courtrepresents a very important precedent. The path traced could in fact also be followed by other countries, including Italy. Regarding, for example, Alessandro Nucara expressed himself, General Manager of Federalberghi. Here are his words to Hotellerie Pambianco: “The rules of New York do not foresee prohibitions but only the reasonable obligation to respect the rules in force for the activity that exercises. If you want to be a hotelier, take a license. Unfortunately in Italy it is not so and Federalberghi and Federalberghi Extra ask to end this ‘Far West’.
The Meloni government seems to have a very serious change of course in this sense. In May 2023 he had in fact started talking about the new tourism bill in a lighter way. Among the most important innovations there would be the minimum stay iMosto of two nights, especially in the historic centers of metropolitan cities, as well as in municipalities in high tourist density.
Another novelty is that of National Identification Codewhich is assigned to each individual apartment by the Ministry, at the request of the manager or owner. Code to be exhibited in each advertisement published on the platforms, from Airbnb to Bookiing, as well as on the property, under penalty of 3 thousand euros of sanction for sites and 5 thousand euros for those who rent.
Gaze addressed, then, to those who carry out this business in an entrepreneurial way. There is therefore talk of those who boast various apartments offered in short. A declaration of start of activity is expected, with a new specific economic category. To date, however, there is nothing more than a draft.
