Wants Clearer Regulations For AirBnB Listings

Operators of AirBnB listings say they need clearer regulations on short-term renting in order to operate without running afoul of the law.

RÚV reports that there are some 1,600 locations in Reykjavík that are listed on AirBnB. These listings comprise houses, apartments, rooms, or even bedspace within a room. All of these locations have been plotted out on the map below (direct link).

Sölvi Melax, who represents numerous short-term renters in Reykjavík, told reporters that clearer regulations are needed.

“There need to be clearer lines,” he told reporters. “Regarding what’s a business and what’s side income. When do you have a company that operates apartments, even dozens of apartments, and when are you just an individual renting out their home?”

As it is, Sölvi says, the system is unnecessarily complicated and in need of reform.

While legislative changes to short-term renting are still in the works, police have been targeting AirBnB locations that operate without a license. Vísir reports that only 13% of AirBnB locations that require a license to operate actually have one.