EU to propose short-term rental rules to tackle ‘social crisis’ in housing

Demonstrators in Barcelona against mass tourism spray water at tourists as part of their protest. Short-term accommodation has been blamed for driving up rents and turning residential neighbourhoods into tourist zones.

The EU executive is to propose rules to tackle the “huge problem” of short-term rentals via platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com, its first-ever housing commissioner has said.

Dan Jørgensen said the bloc wants to confront the “social crisis” of people struggling to afford a home.