To limit the proliferation of illegal holiday homes, the city has been carrying out stricter inspections since January. This is now paying off: of the 181 rooms, apartments and houses checked, 61 did not have the required permit. These homes are therefore illegal to rent. The city usually tries to mediate: the owner then offers the property on the regular rental market or still applies for a permit. In 17 cases, a report was drawn up with the risk of a fine.
“It is actually unfair competition. Someone who does have a permit pays a residence tax for every person who sleeps there. Hotels and guest rooms also pay it. But someone who does not follow the rules escapes the tax,” says Enforcement Alderman Mathijs Goderis.