Ixelles targets Airbnb rentals to ease housing pressure

Ixelles is stepping up efforts to bring illegally rented Airbnb properties back on to the traditional housing market.

Local authorities estimate that about 1,400 homes in the municipality are rented out year round via short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, reducing the number of properties available to residents.

"That means just as many fewer homes for Ixelles families," said mayor Romain De Reusme (PS). "In some cases, it has grown into a genuine speculative practice."

The commune said it would focus on identifying and tackling misuse of the system, rather than occasional short-term rentals.

“We are not focusing on occasional rentals, but rather on the deviations of a system that takes homes off the market,” De Reusme said.

“Our priority is that residents of Ixelles can house themselves in a dignified manner.”

Ixelles, located close to the city centre, has become increasingly popular with visitors, contributing to the growth of short-term rental listings.

“Ixelles is a central and attractive municipality that is buzzing with life,” said Julie de Groote (Les Engages), alderwoman for urban planning.

“It is therefore no coincidence that the supply via Airbnb is increasing sharply here.

"However, this appeal must not come at the expense of housing affordability for the people of Ixelles, nor of their quality of life."

The initiative forms part of wider efforts across Brussels to regulate short-term rentals and address housing shortages in high-demand neighbourhoods.