Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- The Brussels Council of Ministers approved the preliminary draft on tourist accommodation in first reading on Thursday. The new legislation lays down the rules for people who rent out a bed & breakfast, Airbnb or other tourist accommodation. The ordinance has a few relaxations: for example, the fire safety permit remains valid for up to eight years.
The text is the result of consultations with representatives of the accommodation sector, the 19 Brussels municipalities, Brulocalis, the Firefighting and Emergency Medical Assistance Service (DBDMH), tenants’ and owners’ associations, the Minister of Housing and, finally, some players who act as intermediary, for example platforms.
The regulation relating to the registration of the tourist accommodation activity will be maintained. Anyone who offers on the market, for a fee, a place where people can stay for no more than 90 consecutive days without living or being housed there, must register their activity with Brussels Economy and Employment.
Amendments
In the new ordinance, a few things are simplified or amended. A manager will still have to submit a planning permit, just like a fire safety certificate. However, a temporary fire safety certificate will be introduced. This is a one-year permit that can be extended. In the meantime, the owner can carry out work so that it fully meets the requirements for tourist accommodation. The ordinary fire safety certificate is extended to eight years instead of five years.
In a communication, Vervoort emphasises that the quality of life of residents and local residents is protected by the adjustments. During the permit application, the municipality examines – just as under current legislation – whether the application for the tourist accommodation fits within the regional zoning plan and can refuse a permit.
Old ordnance ‘too strict’
In 2014, the Brussels parliament approved an ordinance on tourist overnight stays. However, according to the European Commission, the Brussels Airbnb legislation is too strict. A few years later, the government asked the ULB to evaluate the ordinance. The study showed that the Brussels procedure is also very cumbersome, says BRUZZ. For example, anyone who applies for a certificate of conformity for a home that he wants to rent out as an Airbnb will have to deal with very long waiting times.
The new ordinance should provide an answer to that. The preliminary draft is now submitted for advice to Brupartners (the Economic and Social Council of the Brussels Region), Brulocalis and the Data Protection Authority.
