Understanding short-term rentals
Short-term rentals (STR) are typically categorized as private properties that are rented out as guest accommodations for limited periods of time. STR property types include entire houses, apartments, condos, and individual rooms on a property.
In this article:
Local laws and regulations
STR properties can be subject to specific regulations, which vary by country, region, and municipality. STR regulations may include but aren’t limited to:
- License/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. Find more info 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 they could be protected as tenants under the law. Depending on the circumstances, there may be a cap on the amount you can charge them as “rent.” You may not be able to remove them from your property without initiating eviction processes in court.
Therefore, it’s 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. For questions on rules that apply to your property’s rental, contact the relevant local authorities or seek independent legal advice.
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Legal & Security
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- Online security awareness: social engineering
- Online security awareness: Phishing
- Preventing unauthorized use of your account
- Securing your account
- Requirements and regulations for surveillance devices
- Digital event security standards
- Guidelines for room key access
- Keeping your property clean and sanitary
- Equipping your home property with safety devices, safety kits, and emergency plans
- Protecting your home property with security devices
- Partner Liability Insurance
- Identifying and acting on potential human trafficking of refugees from Ukraine
- Report a security issue
- Online security awareness: Malware
- All about our messaging security settings
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- Why you need to complete the Know Your Partner (KYP) form
- How do I remove a property or end my partnership with Booking.com?
- My property is under new ownership. What should I do?
- Our animal welfare standards
- Where can I find my General Delivery Terms (GDT)?
- Complying with European Union consumer law
- Mandatory host type (professional/private) assessment
- How does parity work?
- Offer transparency and clarity through simpler policies
- Our Supplier Code of Conduct
- Understanding Force Majeure
- Handling emergency closures
- VAT and tax withholding legislation in Mexico
- Understanding short-term rentals
- Short-term rentals: FAQs
- DAC7: FAQs
- Everything you need to know about DAC7
- Non-discrimination guidelines when accepting or declining a booking request
- Laws and regulations for short-term rentals in Asia-Pacific
- Laws and regulations for short-term rentals in North America
- Short-term rental license requirements in New York City
- Everything you need to know about the Digital Services Act (DSA)
- Accommodation Agreement and General Delivery Terms
- When the contracting name on your accommodation agreement is wrong