Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced over the weekend a ban on new short-term leases licenses in three municipal districts of Greek capital Athens. The measure is to be in effect for one year.
Τhe measure is thought as a solution to the housing crisis in the country that has taken on dramatic proportions for the residents of large urban centers and areas with intense tourist activity with rents having skyrocketed and property owners to choose short-term rentals than long term ones.
However, the drastic measures such as limiting the monthly rental days or the number one owner can offer as airbnb -as leaked in the press in the press repeatedly in the last 6 months seem to have been abandoned by the government.
Districts and Suburbs List
The areas where it was decided to restrict new Airbnbn licenses one year are:
1st municipal district of Athens
The 1st municipal district of Athens includes the center of Athens with the so-called shopping triangle (Stadio-Omonoia-Plaka). Specifically, it includes the areas:
- Koukaki, Plaka, Kolonaki, Syntagma – Omonia – Monastiraki, Exarchia, Ilisia Neapoli
2nd municipal district of Athens
The 2nd municipal district of Athens includes the South-East districts from Neos Kosmos to Stadion. Specifically, it includes the areas:
- Mets , Neos Kosmos, Agios Artemios, Pangrati
3rd municipal district of Athens
The 3rd municipal district of Athens includes the South-West districts (Asteroskopio, Petralona, Metaxourgeio and Thiseio). Specifically, it includes the areas:
- Votanikos, Metaxouegeio, Gkazi, Petralona, Ruf, Thisio
It is unclear whether the decision has immediate effect, though.
Reactions
The Association of Short-Term Property Rental Companies reacted to the measures, calling, among others, for the suspension of issuing new tax numbers (AFM) describing it as “excessive” and requests a review of this decision.
It also requests exemptions for management companies as well as an exemption for business premises and stresses that the increase in the climate change fee will increase the costs for the guests.
source: news247.gr
