Amsterdam to curb Airbnb rentals

The current 60-day limit per year will now be halved "to stem the negative influence of holiday home rentals," the city council's executive said in a statement. "During the last few years there has been massive growth in the market of renting out homes to tourists. "The increase in numbers has increasingly had an (unwanted) effect on various Amsterdam neighbourhoods."

The Dutch capital is now flooded with 17 million tourists per year, attributed to the city's ease of access and a highly successful marketing campaign. In 2013, there were around 4,500 holiday rentals on offer on various websites, but by last year the number had grown to 22,000, according to the latest city council figures. Residents have complained of rowdy crowds of tourists and late-night disturbances. "This measure will greatly reduce the congestion made by tourists in some neighbourhoods," the city said.

Tourist numbers are often boosted by visiting groups - who see the tolerant and open-minded city as a party destination. The council based its decision on a recent ruling by the Amsterdam District Court which sought to clarify the rules about which homes can be used for holiday rentals, including a maximum time limit, the number of persons allowed per home and an obligatory tourist tax.

Rentals have to be reported to authorities who check whether the 30-day rule is being respected, the city council said. Amsterdam reached a landmark agreement with home rental website Airbnb in December 2016 to limit private rental sharing to 60 days. "The current agreement with platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com lasts until January 1, 2019," it said.

Amsterdam is not the only city battling large tourist numbers and excessively rowdy crowds. From Budapest to Barcelona, residents have protested against the takeover of their neighbourhoods by disrespectful revellers.

is/ks (afp, dpa)