Commentary: Looks like Singapore’s tough stance on Airbnb-style short stays is justified

MORE Places TIGHTENING SHORT-TERM STAY Regulations

Some cities in Europe and America are retaliating against Airbnb and other similar services.

When the town began imposing requirements for visitors to be registered and have at least 30 day rental times (unless the number was present during the stay ), hundreds of listings in New York vanished in September 2023. It was referred to as a “de fide ban” by Airbnb.

Florence, an Italian holiday hub, enacted a law in October 2023 outlawing fresh short-term rentals in the town center. In June, Barcelona’s president announced plans to embargo all short-term accommodations in the Spanish town by 2028.

Their intentions are related: Local housing troubles and overtourism.

When more tenants switched to short-term lodging for better income, the supply of rental housing units decreased quickly. Prices and home rates have skyrocketed, and citizens are priced out of major cities.

Accessibility to more Airbnb-type short-term keeps has even contributed to overtourism in popular tourist destinations.

Local authorities are concerned about the deterioration of the environment and the saturated system. Local people are concerned about disruptions to peaceful neighborhoods and rising living expenses brought on by tourist-induced prices.

Some guesthouse users have complained about harsh competition. Hotels losing money could result in lower tax revenues for local governments, particularly in those areas where hosts and guests are not subject to taxes.

Some short-term accommodation options are poorly designed for large groups of temporary readers and guests, causing issues with other residents. In contrast to hotels, short-term rental properties are not as strictly controlled in terms of building-related challenges, such as fire and various health risks.