The European Commission has launched an initiative with the proposed Affordable Housing Act, aiming to establish a uniform framework to protect affordable housing and increase legal certainty. These endeavours are, in principle, welcomed by the German Holiday Home Association (DFV), as a functioning housing market and transparent regulation are considered essential.
However, the DFV expresses concerns regarding potential unreflected restrictions in the holiday rental segment. It emphasises that a one-sided view and blanket regulation could disrupt the balance between the interests of the local housing market and the economic importance of tourism. In particular, the existence of many small landlords, who secure their livelihoods or a part thereof through the letting of holiday homes, must be taken into account.
Differentiation Instead of Blanket Rules
A core demand of the association is the need for a differentiated approach. It is argued that the specific circumstances of individual regions and markets should be analysed and reflected in the regulatory measures. Different urban or rural structures, as well as divergent tourist demands, require flexible adaptation of the legal framework.
The DFV advocates that any interventions in the holiday rental market must be proportionate and avoid undesirable side effects, particularly for the regional economy and the tourism sector. A weighing of the various interests is considered indispensable to secure both the need for affordable housing and the economic benefits of tourism.
- —Fundamental support for the Affordable Housing Act.
- —Demand for differentiated regulation of holiday rentals.
- —Consideration of the economic importance of small landlords.
- —Appeal to avoid negative impacts on the tourism sector.
In the DFV's view, the European Commission's initiative offers an opportunity to create a stable legal framework that does not pit different market segments against each other, but rather promotes them synergistically. Transparent and balanced regulation is seen as a prerequisite for the long-term stability of both markets – housing and tourism.
