Latest news with #AIGAB
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Victory for Airbnb hosts as Italian judges scrap key box ban
Italian judges have overturned a government ban on remote check-ins for short-term rentals, reversing a controversial measure that led to the removal of key boxes from city centres. The ban, enacted by the interior ministry in November, aimed to address security concerns related to check-ins for properties listed on platforms like Airbnb, where face-to-face interaction is absent. The Lazio administrative court annulled the directive, stating that it placed excessive burdens on landlords. Marco Celani, head of short-term rentals association AIGAB, welcomed the court's ruling and said his lobby was in talks with the government for the "full recognition" of remote check-in technologies. The interior ministry said it would wait for the court to publish the reasons for its ruling before deciding whether to appeal to a higher administrative court.
Reuters
28-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Italy court cancels ban on remote check-ins for short-term rentals
ROME, May 27 (Reuters) - Italian judges have struck down a government ban on remote check-ins for short-term rentals that had prompted a clean up of keyboxes from city centres which was welcomed by campaigners against overtourism. Properties listed on Airbnb (ABNB.O), opens new tab and other short-term rental platforms use self check-in keyboxes to spare owners and holidaymakers from having to meet in person. The keyboxes have however been criticised as eyesores, often cluttering the street entrances of buildings or nearby gates and railings. The interior ministry banned the practice in November, arguing that check-ins without a physical encounter between guest and renter posed a security risk. But in a ruling published on Tuesday, the Lazio administrative court annulled the directive, saying, among other things, that it placed excessive burdens on landlords. Following the ban, cities such as Florence and Rome had stepped up efforts to remove self check-in keyboxes from public spaces. Marco Celani, head of short-term rentals association AIGAB, welcomed the court's ruling on Tuesday and said his lobby was in talks with the government for the "full recognition" of remote check-in technologies. The interior ministry said through a spokesperson it would wait for the court to publish the reasons for its ruling before deciding whether to appeal to a higher administrative court.
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Italy loses latest court battle to clear Airbnb lockboxes from streets
Italian judges have overturned a government ban on remote check-ins for short-term rentals, reversing a controversial measure that led to the removal of key boxes from city centres. The ban, enacted by the interior ministry in November, aimed to address security concerns related to check-ins for properties listed on platforms like Airbnb, where face-to-face interaction is absent. It was welcomed by campaigners against overtourism, who saw the key boxes as unsightly additions to street entrances. However, the ban faced criticism from property owners and holidaymakers who valued the convenience of self check-in. In a ruling published on Tuesday, the Lazio administrative court annulled the directive. The judges said, among other things, that it placed excessive burdens on landlords. Following the ban, cities such as Florence and Rome had stepped up efforts to remove self check-in key boxes from public spaces. Marco Celani, head of short-term rentals association AIGAB, welcomed the court's ruling on Tuesday. He said his lobby was in talks with the government for the "full recognition" of remote check-in technologies. The interior ministry said through a spokesperson that it would wait for the court to publish the reasons for its ruling before deciding whether to appeal to a higher administrative court. Italy has been grappling with overtourism, with Sirmione on the banks of Lake Garda overwhelmed by tens of thousands of visitors over the early May bank holiday weekend. Videos posted online showed holidaymakers swarming its historic streets, stopping traffic. Visitors reportedly faced a 40-minute wait to get through the gates into Sirmione's historic centre, while cars and buses became entangled within the crowds. In September, Italy proposed increasing its tourist tax to €25 a night for holidaymakers staying in its most expensive hotel rooms. The Italian government is considering the €25 (£21) tax – currently between €1 and €5 per night in cities such as Venice – to make tourists 'more responsible' and help financially disadvantaged areas fund services like refuse collections.
