Amsterdam tackles house exchanges

Individuals exchange their homes between Reims (Marne) and Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine) for a few days. This barter was agreed via HomeExchange.com, a site used for around ten years by a retiree. In exchange for her accommodation which she lends to other users, she can go to her host or obtain points. For five days, she went to Reims, without paying for accommodation. Some see it as a threat to city centers.

30 days maximum per year

In Amsterdam (Netherlands), more than a thousand residents offer their accommodation on the platform. The municipality has imposed new rules for a house exchange via the site: a compulsory license of 71 euros per year, tourist taxes to be paid to guests, a duration of 30 days maximum per year, with a maximum of four people. “For me it’s unfair, because I can no longer do what I want with my house”, says Bart Bulsing, resident of Amsterdam and user of the site HomeExchange.com. The city has declared war on short-term rentals, with the Airbnb platform in its sights, which is accused of making access to housing impossible for residents.