Amsterdam is introducing several new housing rules next year and will cut the number of bed and breakfast permits per district by 30%. This means, for example, no more B&Bs will be licenced in the city centre, the Parool reported at the weekend.

The city is pressing ahead with its controversial plans to stop people swapping houses with others for holidays via websites such as HomeExchange, unless they have a registration number and stick to the 30 days a year limit, which also applies to Airbnb and other holiday rental agencies.

But people will be able to swap with family and friends, and via informal platforms where points or money don’t change hands, city officials said.

Officials have also agreed not to make any extra effort to find housing for international students. In addition, they have reconfirmed that flat sharing between more than two adults who are not related will remain subject to strict licencing rules and that everyone living in a shared home must have an individual contract.

Teachers in special education have also been added to list of teachers who get priority renting social and mid-market properties. Healthcare workers and police officers are also covered by the priority rules.

Over the past three years, 561 people on this priority list were able to find somewhere to live, the Parool said.