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Brussels is cracking down on short-term tourist rentals, with the alderman for town planning deciding to seal a building illegally used as tourist accommodation.

Local officials said the building contained six spacious flats and an office, all of which had been converted into tourist accommodation without legal authorisation.

According to the municipal services of Brussels-City, contact with the building’s manager had been ongoing for over a year, with requests that he stop his operations, which were not heeded.

But this phase of dialogue was not enough. Hence the radical decision to seal the building, a statement from Brussels-City stated.

The move has been greeted with mixed reactions, with some supporting it and others opposing it.

“There are a lot of people on the street with suitcases who come here for a stay. And then there are a lot of people who don’t know how to find accommodation, people who work who can’t find a place to live,” says Maurice Demarteau, neighbour of the sealed building.

“Airbnb? Why not? It’s always brought people back to a city centre that’s been a bit neglected. So to start closing it down, I think, is a bit excessive,” said Nico Volk, another neighbour of the sealed building.

Authorities say the crackdown is aimed at preserving access to housing for the people of Brussels, particularly in the city centre, where property pressure is high.

Rodolphe van Weyenbergh, spokesman for the Brussels Hotels Association: “It’s obviously a step in the right direction. We’re obviously calling for the regulations in force to be applied. This is essential.”

Stringent rental rules come into force

Many say landlords in Brussels already feel the heat from the pressure and competition from short-term stays and some regulations.

This month, Brussels introduced new rent price regulations to curb exorbitant rents, with landlords in the Brussels Region subjected to more stringent rent price rules.

If a rent exceeds 20% of the regional guide amounts, it is considered excessive. But if some inherent qualities support the increase, there may be an exception.

As such, some have lauded the crackdown on short-stay accommodation, hailing it as a step in the right direction.

“The situation today is untenable for those who respect the rules. Whether you’re a hotel, a bed and breakfast, or a registered apartment hotel, this unfair competition is unbearable. It’s a step in the right direction. We need to continue in this direction.”

Critics say in addition to the housing issue, unregulated tourist accommodation generates other urban problems.

Noise pollution is a common complaint, while permanent residents find the frequent arrivals and departures of tourists to be an annoyance in buildings.

Brussels hopes that this drastic move will send a clear message to other owners who might be tempted to break the rules.

By doing this, the city’s authorities suggest they intend to show that they are committed to making sure that town planning regulations are followed.