If, for example, in a given staircase there are 80 percent of premises that are not permanently inhabited but are rented short-term to tourists, then we have illegal hotel activity – said Kuba Czajkowski from the Miasto jest Nasze association on TVN24 BiS.
In many European countries, the increasingly popular short-term rental is perceived as one of the main causes of the housing crisis, including the increase in rental prices. Therefore, more European countries are introducing restrictions.
Asked about this issue in the context of Poland Cuba Czajkowski from the City is Our association said that “you should start with three simple things.” – That this activity (short-term rental – ed.) be regulated. Let there be any register – either local or central. There are different solutions in the European Union. And that it would be time-limited. Then it will definitely help – he said on TVN24 BiS.
– Of course, then we can investigate whether 90 days is still too long. But this will also take this activity out of the gray zone. Because currently I am not convinced that all those who rent apartments pay the correct amount VAT or income tax on this activity – said Czajkowski.
“This is an illegal hotel activity”
As he explained, “the point is that residents of larger cities and tourist centers struggle with unfair competition from rental platforms and have problems renting an apartment for a longer period.”
– Whether they are students or even families with children, because these apartments are often divided into smaller rooms that are easier to rent for a shorter period – said the TVN24 BiS interlocutor.
He added that apartments in the short-term rental system are “de facto illegally used as hotel rooms.” – Hotel operations in Poland are regulated and require certain restrictions regarding fire regulations, escape routes, and sanitary departments. If in a given staircase we have, for example, 80 percent of apartments that are not permanently inhabited by real residents, but are rented short-term to tourists, then we have illegal hotel activity – pointed out Czajkowski.
The TVN24 BiS guest noted that we already have an EU regulation in force requiring platforms such as Airbnb or Booking to provide the tax office with data on landlords, which may be an introduction to normalizing the short-term situation in Poland.
Regulations in European countries
Short apartment rental for tourists it is one of the most frequently discussed topics in Europe Italy in recent months, and the discussion has intensified after a summer that saw record crowds in historic towns. In many cities, residents protested against the rapid increase in the number of short-rent apartments.
In order to limit the negative effects of the development of the short-term rental market, some countries have introduced the obligation to obtain a license or permit, other countries have introduced special registers, and others have limited the maximum number of days a year during which you can rent an apartment for a short time.
Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz, the Minister of Funds and Regional Policy, also described her proposal in this matter at the beginning of October on social media.
Short-term rental through specialized platforms is becoming more and more popular in the European Union. In the second quarter of 2024, it increased by 16.2%. compared to the second quarter of 2023 – according to Eurostat data.
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