Amsterdam Signs New Home Sharing Partnership With Airbnb

Amsterdam has announced a new partnership with Airbnb to tackle illegal hotels and promote responsible home sharing.

The city was one of the first in the world to introduce a progressive and innovative policy towards home sharing while ensuring that homes remain homes.

Under these rules, Amsterdam citizens are allowed to share the home in which they live for a period of 60 days per year.

Following the introduction of these rules, Amsterdam and Airbnb signed a memorandum of understanding in December 2014.

Today’s agreement focuses on tackling bad actors and ensuring that home sharing remains sustainable and positive for locals and neighbours.

This new chapter between Amsterdam and Airbnb focuses on four key priorities for home sharing in Amsterdam.

Laurens Ivens, Amsterdam Alderman responsible for housing, said: “A home should remain a home.

“This new agreement is in the interest of everyone in Amsterdam - residents, neighbours, home sharers and guests.

“With this new approach we are showing that working together with platforms such as Airbnb gives the city a new and efficient weapon to tackle illegal hotels.”

The new agreement takes effect in January and expires in December, 2018.

James McClure, Airbnb general manager for northern Europe, said: “Amsterdam is a world leader for the sharing economy and a special city for Airbnb.

“We want to be good partners for everyone in the city and ensure home sharing grows responsibly and sustainably.

“The new measures are an example to the world and demonstrate the positive results that can be achieved when policymakers and Airbnb work together on our shared goals of making cities better places to live, work and visit.”