The Italian city of Florence has decided to ban new short-term residential rentals offered on platforms such as Airbnb in its historic center, the latest measure to increase the supply of housing for residents of one of the most popular cities. most tourist attractions in the world.
THE new measuresapproved Monday evening October 2 by the municipality, also offer owners of properties intended for short-term rentals tax relief for three years if they agree to transform their current leases into traditional rentals.
Prices increased by 15.1% in 2022
Florence Mayor Dario Nardella said the Tuscan city decided to take local action because government plans to regulate the sector are disappointing.
“In 2016, we had just under 6,000 apartments listed on Airbnb, today we have almost 14,378”, he said, noting that during this period, the average cost of ordinary monthly residential rent jumped 42%. In 2022, prices increased by 15.1%, he added. “The 40,000 Florentines who live in the center complain of suddenly finding themselves in hotel apartments” denounced Dario Nardella, member of the Democratic Party, a center-left formation, which is part of the opposition at the national level.
As in other European countries, Italy’s housing crisis is worsening amid low wages, a shortage of goods and a boom in short-term rentals, all against a backdrop of high inflation. Precarious populations and students are particularly affected.