Amsterdam city council has decided to stop handing out licences for short-stay properties in the city but will allow people to rent out their homes for short periods via websites like Airbnb.

Last year the city said it planned to take steps to stop people renting out their homes on a temporary basis. New York and Quebec have already made similar moves.

However, the city’s aldermen have now decided short-term rentals for up to a maximum of two months a year should be approved if they can be done ‘safely and honestly without causing nuisance.’

This comes after council research showed holiday rentals can be a boost to tourism and the city’s economy.

Tourist tax

Private rentals should be allowed for up to four people, providing tourist tax is paid, for a maximum of two months a year, the city’s aldermen have agreed.

Renting out flats to tourists via intermediaries has become a significant sector, alderman Freek van Ossel said in a statement. ‘That is why we also want them [intermediaries] to take responsibility for clearly explaining our conditions to people renting out their properties and their guests.’

This includes ‘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.’

The full council will debate the board’s proposals later this month.