Over 90% of homes listed on Airbnb in Brussels are being rented out illegally, according to research published by Bruzz on Wednesday.
In Brussels, homeowners looking to rent out a studio, apartment, house or villa to tourists for up to three months must obtain several permits. They are then required to register with both Brussels Economy and Employment services and the regional tax authorities.
A critical hurdle for many landlords is obtaining a specific document known as the urban planning certificate. This certificate signifies official permission to convert a property into a hotel or tourist accommodation.
However, local authorities often reject applications for this certificate, aiming to protect the availability of homes for long-term residents in the city.
The reasoning behind this policy is that allocating more properties for tourism reduces housing opportunities for individuals and families seeking permanent residence in Brussels. As a result, the private rental market for long-term accommodation becomes increasingly strained.
Faced with such challenges, the majority of landlords bypass the legal requirements and list their properties on Airbnb without the necessary certificates or registrations.
Bruzz’s analysis, which compared official data from the region with the number of properties advertised on Airbnb, suggests that at least 90% of full home rentals offered through the platform operate without proper authorisation. Bruzz notes that this figure may even underestimate the true scale of illegal rentals.
