Understanding short-term rentals

Short-term rentals (STR) are typically categorised as private properties that are rented out as accommodation to guests for limited periods of time. STR property types include entire houses, apartments, condominiums and individual rooms on a property.

What’s in this article:

Local laws and regulations

STR properties can be subject to specific regulations, which may vary per country, region and municipality. STR regulations may include, but aren’t limited to:

• Licence/registration requirements
• Permit and zoning requirements
• Health and safety requirements
• Residency requirements
• Limits on the number of guests per rental
• Limits on the number of rental nights per calendar year
• Communication requirements between partners and local authorities – for example, the number of guests and the length of each booking

As a Booking.com partner, you’re responsible for ensuring that you’re familiar and compliant with the regulations that apply to your property in your specific municipality, country and/or region. This information should be available on your local authorities’ website. You can also find more information in our short-term rentals FAQs.

Offering longer stays

Guests who stay beyond a certain period of time – the exact number of days depends on the jurisdiction – may automatically establish tenancy rights. This means that they could then be protected as tenants under the law and, depending on the circumstances, there may be a cap on the amount you can charge them as ‘rent’ and you may not be able to remove them from your property without initiating eviction processes in court.

It’s therefore important that you’re aware of all applicable laws or regulations, and that you ensure that the offering of your property – including any longer stays – is in compliance with these laws or regulations. If you have any questions on the rules that apply to the rental of your property, please contact the relevant local authorities or seek independent legal advice.