The European Commission intends to establish a Union-wide framework for the protection and promotion of affordable housing with the Affordable Housing Act. The initiative aims to create greater legal certainty for national and local authorities in dealing with the regulation of holiday accommodation, which could be considered a misuse of residential property. The German Holiday Home Association (DFV) has taken a stance on this, urging that the specific circumstances of the holiday rental market be taken into account.
The DFV fundamentally recognises the need to combat speculation and the shortage of housing. However, the association stresses that an undifferentiated extension of regulation to the entire holiday rental market could potentially be counterproductive. It calls for a precise distinction between actual residential property and properties used for tourism. The association highlights that many holiday rentals are located in regions where there is no shortage of permanent housing, or where they are unsuitable for permanent habitation due to their nature or location.
Tourism Significance and Economic Factors
The importance of holiday rentals for tourism in Germany, particularly in rural and structurally weak areas, is substantial. Overly extensive regulation could jeopardise the economic viability of these offerings and thus have negative effects on the local tourism industry. The DFV takes the view that the Commission should adopt a flexible approach that accounts for regional differences and allows municipalities to decide independently on the nature and extent of regulation.
It is also pointed out that the adoption of an EU-wide regulatory framework must not undermine existing and functioning national or local regulations that already balance the interests of tourism and housing provision. The DFV advocates for intensifying dialogue with stakeholders in the holiday rental sector to develop practical and targeted solutions. Mere standardisation without considering the complex market conditions would not do justice to the aims of the Affordable Housing Act.
Call for Prudence in Implementation
The German Holiday Home Association appeals to the European Commission and the responsible legislators to exercise prudence in shaping the Affordable Housing Act. It is crucial not to create blanket solutions that ignore the diversity of European real estate markets and tourism regions. Instead, a differentiated approach is called for, one that both ensures the protection of affordable housing and recognises the economic relevance and specific characteristics of the holiday rental market.
