The European Holiday Home Association (EHHA) supports a call of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) to put the collaborative economy at the forefront of priorities of the EU institutions for the 2019-2024 term of office in an effort to introduce a clear and harmonized European regulatory framework which would help to overcome the existing regulatory fragmentation in the EU. EHHA, however, urges decision-makers across the EU to objectively assess the nuance and complexities of the sector and create simple, clear, proportionate and appropriate rules that deliver a supportive business context for short-term rental providers to grow – big and small, professional and non-professional.
The short-term rental (STR) sector has become part of a fast-growing ecosystem of innovative platforms and services that contributes to innovation, boosts entrepreneurship, drives competition, and inspires the growth and jobs. As service providers, short-term rentals are already a subject to a plethora of rules and regulations at local, regional, national and EU level. While we understand the need to regulate, we are observing a further deepening of the existing regulatory fragmentation across the EU. The regulatory fragmentation makes it difficult for companies to do business and ultimately reduces choice for both travellers and consumers, putting at risk entrepreneurship and innovation, potential for more job creation and the valuable economic benefits created by short-term rental.
“As a sector, we support the need to overcome regulatory fragmentation through the establishment of a clear and harmonised European framework, however, opposite to the CoR draft opinion, we believe that such a framework should be the basis rather than addition to all national, regional and local laws”– says EHHA Secretary General, Carlos Villaro Lassen.
EHHA is convinced that banning or imposing restrictive policy measures against STR without assessing the variety of factors that contribute to context – and city-specific issues will not contribute meaningfully to overall policy goals. Instead, EHHA calls on decision-makers across the EU to better-understand the sector’s specificities and impact, and remains committed to working constructively with local authorities to ensure the introduction of balanced STR rules, in accordance with the existing EU regulatory framework.
The EHHA members have already proactively worked with local and national authorities on issues of data-sharing for tax purposes, voluntary tax collection on behalf of municipalities, and raising awareness of local STR rules among their hosts. EHHA members believe regulation is important and good, and they have already shown – and will continue to show – every intention to engage closely with regulators.
The STR sector has also announced a Roadmap of actions, and requests the support of the Commission and all policy stakeholders in achieving its aims.
EHHA response to the Draft Opinion “A European framework for regulatory responses to the collaborative economy” by the European Committee of the Regions you can find here.