City Centre Airbnb Rentals Banned by Florence Municipalities?
A Scrutiny on Florence's Tourist Rental Ban
Last week, Florence's city council greenlighted a ban on fresh tourist rentals in the historic center, triggering a heated debate between locals and hard-right political parties.
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Florence, nestled in the heart of Tuscany, has imposed a ban on new Airbnb rentals and other short-term tourist lets, as the local mayor points out that the city's residents are being overrun by tourists or forced to live in apartment-hotels.
Dario Nardella, the mayor, argued that the city needed local legislation to control the number of tourist rentals because national plans to tackle the issue have been "frustratingly inadequate." The approved regulations would spare existing tourist rentals in the city, offering a three-year IMU tax break to landlords of existing short-term rentals who switch to long-term leases instead.
A Peek into the Decline of Long-term Rentals in Italy
High inflation has sent chills down the spines of landlords offering longer-term leases in Italy, as the monthly rent cannot be increased for at least four years. This, coupled with low salaries and a paucity of affordable housing, has left many Italians scrambling for an affordable rental, especially in popular tourist destinations like Florence.
In response, the Italian government has initiated the drafting of a national law requiring a minimum two-night stay at rentals in areas favored by tourists. However, Nardella, a member of the Democratic Party, has critiqued the government's plan, stating that it would be ineffective in Florence, where "the minimum average stay is already three nights."
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The council's crackdown on short-term lets faced opposition from members of the hard-right parties governing the nation. A representative from the Forza Italia party promised to challenge the ban at Florence's administrative court.
Councilors for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Fratelli d'Italia party branded the move as "wrong, untimely, and discriminatory," while the head of the local centrist parties argued that the resolution arrived "too late," as large investment groups had already made their moves.
Lorenzo Fagnoni, the president of the tourist rental business association Property Managers Italia, labeled the ban on new lets as "unfair" and detrimental to market liberalism, stating that it "prevents entrepreneurs from establishing themselves in the city."
On Monday, Nardella asserted that the "majority" of Florentines supported the measures. When initially discussing the plans to curb short-term lets in June, Nardella had stated, "We understand that it is a daring regulation, but we are confident that we can defend it legally."
Checking In on the Airbnb Rental Ban Status
While the media widely reported the plans as a blanket ban on Airbnb rentals in Florence, it's essential to note that Italy has yet to see any new laws being implemented. The approved measures are subject to a 30-day observation period, followed by amendments or final approval by the city council.
Florence isn't the only city aiming to regulate short-term rentals. Venice and Milan are also considering limiting the number of short-term rentals available to address housing affordability concerns for residents. Only time will tell whether these plans will commence in reality.
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See Also
- opinon: Why tourists should limit their visits to popular Italian destinations
- The economic impact of tourism on Florence
- Living conditions of locals in Florence compared to other Italian cities
- The Italian government is drafting a national law to require a minimum two-night stay in rentals in tourist-favored areas, but Florence's mayor, Dario Nardella, criticizes it for being ineffective.
- High inflation and low salaries have made it difficult for Italians to find affordable long-term rentals, leading to a shortage in popular tourist destinations like Florence.
- The planned ban on new Airbnb rentals and short-term tourist lets in Florence's historic center has sparked a debate between locals and hard-right political parties.
- Dario Nardella, a member of the Democratic Party, argues that local legislation is necessary to control the number of tourist rentals since national plans have been inadequate.
- The approved regulations in Florence offer a three-year IMU tax break to landlords of existing short-term rentals who switch to long-term leases instead.
- Giorgia Meloni's Fratelli d'Italia party and other hard-right groups oppose the ban on new short-term lets in Florence, promising to challenge it at the administrative court.
- The Italian finance and real-estate sectors have been closely monitoring policy-and-legislation developments relating to short-term rentals in Italian cities like Florence, Venice, and Milan.
- The future of short-term rental regulations in Italy and its impact on both local residents and the broader tourism industry remains a hot topic in general-news discussions and political debates.
