Amsterdam city council was acting illegally when it banned home owners in parts of the city centre from renting out their properties to tourists, Amsterdam’s administrative court have decided.

The case was brought by lobby group Amsterdam Gastvrij, which represents home owners who use Airbnb and other online rental agencies.

Spokesman Tim Klein Haneveld told the Parool he was pleased with the verdict but that he was not surprised. ‘We had serious doubts about the legal justification for the ban in these areas,’ he said.

The city council banned holiday rentals in parts of the city centre last July.

However, the court said that the city cannot make a ruling about holiday rentals in an entire district, because this is not permitted under housing legislation.  However, the council can impose restrictions, such as requiring a permit and limiting the number of rental nights to 30.

The ban is one of a key part of the city council’s efforts to reduce over tourism in the city.

City housing chief Laurens Ivens told the Parool that it is a matter of time before the bans can be reinstated.