Tourism Flanders will carry out targeted checks this summer on owners who rent out their houses or gardens to festival-goers near the festival grounds of Pukkelpop and Tomorrowland, among others.
People who rent out their properties to festival goers are obliged to notify Tourism Flanders to ensure the tenant's safety for the duration of their stay.
"Anyone offering accommodation for a fee on a booking platform has been obliged to notify Tourism Flanders since the 2017 Accommodation Decree," said head of Tourism Flanders' housing department Geert Martin.
Anyone who does not register their home – or whose property does not meet the required fire safety standards – risks a shutdown or fine, Tourism Flanders warned.
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Since the decree came into force, Tourism Flanders has carried out inspections on over 6,000 lodgings. Two administrative fines and 111 cease-and-desist orders have also been issued since 2017, report Mediahuis newspapers.
Tourism Flanders calls on owners not only to register their properties, but also to have them recognised. "Those who have their accommodation recognised can also receive a star rating. With those stars, you can promote lodgings on booking sites."
There are currently 27,854 registered properties in Flanders, of which 6,576 have recognition. Of those recognised lodgings, 4,647 have a star rating.
