The Swiss metropolis of Lucerne voted Sunday to restrict short-term leases, together with on the Airbnb platform, to a most of 90 days a 12 months.
Simply over 64 % of voters within the picturesque metropolis in central Switzerland have been in favor of the restriction tabled by the leftwing Social Democrats.
Backers of the initiative mentioned it aimed to cap large-scale momentary leases by business suppliers and to unlock dwelling area for residents of Lucerne, which is going through a major housing crunch.
Opponents had warned it risked harming tourism within the metropolis, which is considered one of Switzerland’s predominant vacationer locations.
The native authorities had introduced a watered-down counter proposal, which might have restricted the proportion of short-term leases inside non-touristy neighborhoods, however it didn’t get ample backing.
The left hailed the vote, with the nationwide Socialist Celebration’s co-president Cedric Wermuth describing it on Twitter as a “incredible victory towards the actual property foyer”.
With Sunday’s vote, Lucerne will change into the newest of various European cities which have taken steps to restrict the impact of the Airbnb dwelling rental platform on the housing market.
In Switzerland, caps on short-term subletting to holidaymakers are already in place within the western areas of Geneva and Vaud.
Participation within the Lucerne vote, which was simply considered one of a slew held on native and regional points throughout Switzerland Sunday as a part of the nation’s direct democratic system, stood at 34.6 %.
