The European commissioner defended that it is fair and legitimate to act when empty houses and short-term rentals hinder access to housing. This position comes in the context of debates on measures to combat the housing crisis in Europe.
The European Commission recognizes that, without a significant increase in housing supply, regulation measures will not be sufficient to definitively resolve the housing crisis.
However, the Commission argues that there are mechanisms available for municipalities to act in the short term to address housing accessibility problems.
The debate focuses on the tension between the need for regulation of the rental market and short-term rentals, and the importance of increasing housing supply as a structural solution to the problem.
