Airbnb vows to limit rentals in 2 key cities

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Airbnb will start enforcing limits to private home rentals in two popular European cities on the home-sharing platform, London and Amsterdam, the company said Thursday.

The move comes amid complaints from some cities that the booming house-sharing sector can lead to illegal hotels and contribute to housing shortages.

In London, Airbnb said it will “introduce new and automated limits to help ensure entire home listings in London are not shared for more than 90 days,” unless hosts prove they have permission to share their space for longer. The new measures will be in place by spring 2017.

The Dutch capital and the online rental service said that they will work together to ensure that home owners can only rent out their properties for a maximum of 60 days per year.

Amsterdam had introduced its limit earlier, but Airbnb said that from Jan. 1 its site will introduce automated tools to ensure homes aren’t listed for more than 60 days a year unless the owners have a license.

Airbnb’s General Manager for Northern Europe, James McClure, said, “We want to be good partners for everyone in the city and ensure home sharing grows responsibly and sustainably.”

Airbnb says a typical host in Amsterdam earns 3,800 euros ($4,041) by sharing their space for 28 nights a year. In London, a typical Airbnb host earns 3,500 pounds ($4,408 ) by sharing for 50 nights a year.