EU to regulate short-term rentals in plan to tackle affordable homes shortage

Soaring rents and housing costs in many European cities have priced out young people, key workers and families

The European Commission has announced it will regulate short-term rentals and seek to curb speculation in the housing market, under the EU’s first-ever plan to tackle a shortage of affordable homes.

Housing is largely a matter for local and national authorities, but the issue has climbed up the EU agenda, as soaring rents and housing costs have priced out young people, key workers and families from many European cities.