Leeway for private holiday rental in Amsterdam, short stay on hold

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Amsterdam will continue to allow residents renting out their own property to city visitors for short periods. Such practices will only be permitted if conducted safely and honestly without causing nuisance.

Meanwhile, Amsterdam will put further short stay developments – renting out regular houses for periods between one week and six months – on hold. It will also still be possible to start a bed & breakfast in the city. With these measures, the Amsterdam College of Mayor and Alderpersons is keen to maintain a sound balance between facilities for living in the city and staying temporarily.
Short stay

More than 800 properties are currently licensed for short stay activities. This means that the demand as estimated in 2009 will be satisfied. Should the amount of available short stay properties drop, the option will remain open to license new short stay apartments in areas of the city where there is high demand and where the housing market allows it. In 2017, short stay policy will be evaluated. Short stay emerged as a commercial industry several years ago in response to international business visitors who sought a home away from home during lengthier stays in the city. Commenting on developments, Alderperson for Housing Freek Ossel said: “That demand has now been satisfied. On the other hand, the Amsterdam market for regular housing remains under pressure. There too, we need to maintain a reasonable supply. “
Private holiday rental

In contrast with commercial short stay activities, private holiday rental involves the occasional rental of property by the principal occupier to a maximum of four people. Alderperson Ossel regards the occasional rental of privately-owned property as an additional form of accommodation that dovetails with a hospitable Amsterdam. The person renting out the property is also obliged to pay tourist taxes. Renting out a property for longer than a total of two months per year will be viewed by the supervisory agency as an indication of possible commercial activity, as in the bed & breakfast industry. The City of Amsterdam will take a firm line against all incidences of nuisance and unsafe situations.

Improved clarity for people renting out their properties
Amsterdam recognises that the (international) intermediaries have grown to form significant sector in their own right. Alderperson Ossel: “That’s why we also want them to take responsibility for clearly explaining our stipulations to people renting out their properties and their guests. For example, by sending people renting out properties a tourist tax registration form at the end of the year and providing an indication of how much they owe.”{jcomments on}