Off-site students looking for a home get scammed on a regular basis. As early as the 1970s, landlords in college towns such as MilanAnd BolognaAnd Rome, he did a thriving business. For at least a decade in the historic centers of the Art Cities, it has become almost impossible to find an apartment to rent even for the residents, and they are pushed towards the suburbs. One main reason: The owners prefer short-term rental to tourists. A marginal phenomenon at first, but within a few years it has turned our cities upside down.
Short term rentals are exploding
The short-term rental market is one of the fastest growing sectors of tourism: Each tourist/tenant can rent the house for a maximum period of 30 days. The advantage for the owners is obvious: higher range on a monthly basis and without the limitations of a traditional contract (eg a tenant who defaults on a payment or who does not want to leave the apartment when the deadline has expired), while still being responsible for utility costs and waste tax. If in 2011 non-hotel advertising did not exceed 20 thousand units, in 2023 it increased to 700 thousand, for about 10-11 billion euros. in this market Italy It is the third box yet United State And France.
Professional platforms and managers
Offers for short-term rental apartments are promoted on digital platforms: 75% are run by private individuals and 25% are professional operators. Contracts are generally determined by the platforms themselves (Airbnb, Booking, VRBO) that by posting ads brings supply and demand together. A percentage of the rent ranging between 14 and 18% is deducted for the service. The percentage goes up to 35% if you switch from agencies (The Italian Way, CleanBnb, Haldis, Brilliant Italy) who manage the homes on behalf of the owners, and also provide a cleaning service, change linens, and assist with all bureaucratic and insurance activities.
Tourist tax, uncharged voucher and tax evasion
Apartment manager is required in tourist cities To make the guests pay the tourist tax, they have to report the tenants’ data to the relevant police station. Individuals managing up to four apartments (From the 5th day onwards, the activity becomes entrepreneurial and follows the enterprise system) It can take advantage of the dry coupon system and everyone, platforms and professional managers, A withholding tax of 21% must apply.. Even today Airbnbthe main online platform with more than 400,000 ads for Italy, I have always refused to withhold tax because the company has a tax headquarters abroad. Now the question is on the table Council of State. Regarding individuals last March, during a Senate hearing, Federal hotelswhich has been accusing digital platforms of unfair competition for years, He deplores how in 2022 the state recovered only 80 million euros of the invalid voucher for short-term rentals. According to Marco Silani, head of the Aigab Study Center which brings together the main professional managers in the sector, today’s public finances should be able to collect about €1 billion in dry voucher. The situation could change from this year: In March, Parliament implemented the European Directive “Dac 7” requiring web platforms to communicate with the Revenue Agency All transactions made, landlord data, and total rental days during the year.
In Milan 180 euros per night, the most expensive Venice
According to data from Aridna, a site that monitors this type of marketApril 2023 Homes AvailableA Milan She was 17,31963% are renters with an average price 180 euros at night. to Rome She was 19,777of which 88% are at an average price 190 euros. to Florence 87% of flats travel to 192 euros at night; to Naples 77% a 120 euros; to Turin 65% a 98 euros; to Bologna 75% a 128 euros: l Verona 67% a 163 euros. Venice is still the most expensive city: with 7,203 Homes available, 83% occupied on average 212 euros per night. In all cities, prices have risen the least 30% Compared to 2019 with tops 50% to Venice And Rome Born in 60% in Florence and Naples.
Mayors appeal
Mayors of 13 cities (Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Bologna, Florence, Parma, Bergamo, Lodi, Verona, Padua, Trieste and Rimini) demand a national law to regulate the market. The Mayor of Venice does not appear on the list, however Venice is the only Italian city that today can actually limit the number of properties for rent through digital platforms thanks to a rule approved by the Draghi government in 2022. However, nothing has been decided yet by the Venetian Council, although From the fact that the population of the historic center has decreased from 60 thousand in 10 years. Less than 50 thousandis now almost outnumbered by the number of beds for tourists: 48 thousand.
What is happening in Europe
Some time ago, the mayors of many European cities imposed rules and restrictions:
1) «Maximum time», The maximum number of rental days per year. It is the most restrictive AmsterdamShort-term rental days range from a minimum of 7 to a maximum 30which they have become 70 to CopenhagenAnd 90 to London And BerlinAnd 120 to Brussels. For those over the limit, a license is required and a tax increase applies.
2) Permission to advertise housing units AmsterdamAnd BarcelonaAnd ParisAnd ViennaAnd BrusselsAnd Madrid.
3) “zoning”: in some neighborhoods short-term rentals are prohibited altogether, for example a Vienna. There are heavy fines for those who fail. In Paris, Airbnb was required in 2021 to pay 8 million euros to the municipality To publish 1,000 unregistered rental ads on the platform. Organization in European cities – explains A Datarooms the Professor Selata – The number of apartment ads has been reduced by 28.8% compared to the capital, which did not set any limits.
intervention of the Italian government
announced Tourism Director Daniela Santanche Which will be submitted in the coming days a draft law to the Council of Ministers to regulate this sector. The bill meets Federalberghi’s main demands Provides for no less than 2 night stay in tourist cities. not expect it There is no maximum number of rental days every year And no restriction The number of beds relative to the number of residents in different neighborhoods As the mayor asks. However, one will be served National identification code per dwelling (it already existed, but it was on a regional basis and there were no controls). This is to avoid black. In the event of failure to apply, what are the fines that landlords are exposed to? from 500 to 5 thousand euros. Obviously by rent 200 euros per night, the maximum fine of €5,000 is not a disincentive Regulation of this sector is crucial To find a balance between the advantages of tourism, Which amounts to 6% of the GDP and reaches 13.4% with related industriesand the validity of historical centers. to push Outside The population will gradually kill the identity of these places They turn into tourist colonies, crowded only with pizzerias, restaurants and souvenir shops.
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