Spain: Airbnb is not driving up rents says CNMC

In a report published this week, the National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) described the positive effects of the boom of platforms such as Airbnb, and minimized or called into question the negatives effects, reported El Pais.

Lower costs for those seeking short-term rentals; a chance to earn money for owners; a dynamic effect on the economy given the greater competition; the empowerment of the consumer… These are just a few of the positive effects the CNMC found as a result of the boom of sites such as Airbnb and Homeaway.

The regulator only sees “possible” cons, such as an increase in noise and disturbances for neighbors. But even these elements were played down in the report.

“There is no conclusive evidence,” stated the text, “although if there has been a general rise of house prices in Spain in recent years, this is due to a confluence of economic factors. […] No evidence exists of a direct and exclusive relationship between the supply of tourist housing and property prices.”

Full Content: El País

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