Illegal Short-Term Rentals in Vienna: Already 337 Reports So Far
According to Housing City Councillor Kathrin Gaal (SPÖ), 337 reports have so far been received by the building police. Vienna prohibits the rental of apartments if the rental period exceeds 90 days a year. This is only possible with a special permit.
However, for such a permit, among other things, the remaining apartment owners in the building must agree. In 2024, according to Gaal, a total of 709 applications for a permit were received by the building police. At the same time, 337 reports were registered in the Short-Term Rental Control Department of the Building Police (MA 37).
Illegal Short-Term Rentals: Most Reports in the Second Viennese District
With 44 reports, the most external reports were noted in the second district. This is followed by the first district with 33 and the third district with 28 reports. Upon their receipt, an internet search is initially conducted, as it was said. The authority looks for possible offers on relevant platforms such as "Airbnb" or "Booking.com".
In most cases, a personal inspection on site is also carried out. Here, the affected housing units are compared with the internet offers viewed, it was shared. "Sometimes we find entire houses that are being rented out unlawfully. From the outside, you wouldn't suspect it, but inside there are often very clear signs like a separate reception," reported Günter Nast from the building police.
"With the amendment to the building regulations, we have succeeded in regulating the international trend towards short-term rental of urgently needed living space. It was always clear that we wanted to preserve the original idea of renting out one's own four walls - during an absence such as a longer trip," Gaal emphasized. However, it should not happen that apartments are withdrawn from the housing market on a large scale in certain neighborhoods, as is the case in other metropolises, she stressed.
(APA/Red)
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