Lisbon overturns short-term rental rules that failed to cut housing costs

6 days agoLisbon, PortugalScore: 85
Regulations & Compliance
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Local Regulations
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Airbnb

Summary

Lisbon, Portugal is overturning strict short-term rental restrictions after they failed to make housing more affordable and actually increased prices. This is a cautionary tale for hosts as it demonstrates that limiting STRs can backfire. Hosts should stay informed about local regulations and advocate for balanced solutions.

Key Insights

  • In Lisbon, the annual growth rate of house sale prices nearly doubled, and rental prices accelerated from 5.7% to 9.2% after short-term rental restrictions were imposed in 2019.
  • Hotel prices in Lisbon increased by 30% between 2022 and 2024.
  • In New York City, the de facto ban on short-term rentals since 2023 hasn't increased housing availability or affordability, with vacancy rates unchanged and rents continuing to rise, despite Airbnb short-term listings dropping by approximately 92 percent.

Action Items

  • Hosts should monitor how local regulations impact housing costs and potentially advocate for policies that consider a holistic approach to affordability.
    Effort: medium
    Impact: medium

Watch Out For

  • Failing to understand the impact of local regulations on the market could lead to missed opportunities and decreased profitability.