Amsterdam city council will on Wednesday debate a proposal which calls for the legalisation of housing shares, overturning a current ban on households with more than two adults.

Thousands of people in the capital share a house or flat with two or more friends or fellow students, but this is technically illegal.

Supporters of the motion argue it will make it easier for people to find somewhere to live in Amsterdam, where affordable housing is scarce.

‘If a majority of councillors agree, it will become easier to attract talent, students, young professionals and expats to Amsterdam, which in turn will benefit the city,’ said Daniel van der Ree, a city councillor for the Liberal VVD, who drew up the motion.

Labour’s housing alderman Freek Ossel has said he is prepared to relax the rules to some extent. However, measures still need to be taken to ensure the safety of tenants and that they are not being exploited, he said earlier this month.