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The light of the European Commission comes on Airbnb, the online private rental platform that operates in nearly 200 countries around the world. Věra Jourov, Commissioner for Justice and Consumer Protection, accuses the California colossus of unfair practices by issuing an ultimatum: if the company does not respect the rules imposed by the European directives in force in August, the Commission will contact the competent authorities to trigger sanctions. Even salty, since the group is simultaneously violating two different directives (the one on unfair commercial practices and unfair contract terms) and the regulation that establishes jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters. The popularity can not be an excuse to circumvent European rules, said Jourov in a statement, adding that he expects Airbnb's collaboration to proceed as planned. This summer, for obvious reasons peak for the platform revenue.
Flop Airbnb tax, the Centinaio promises: Enough of meadows, you change
Prices and Clauses, from which the Airbnb Accused
Founded in 2008 in California, United States, Airbnb a portal that allows you to offer or search for private homes for rent: the owners, the so-called hosts, provide rooms or entire apartments, then calibrate the price at your own discretion. The company earns by keeping a share of each booking, while the rest goes to those who rent. In 10 years, thanks to the explosion of online services and competition from traditional hotels, the company has turned into a giant that invests $ 2.6 billion and employs more than 3 000 people. The Commission is now challenging unfair pricing practices (sometimes final cost increases with undeclared services immediately), opaque reimbursement terms (the company decides on the policy) and illegal terms informing customers, or give them the opportunity to cancel the booking).
The platform now has about a month and a half to adapt to the long list of applications arriving from Brussels. Among the obligations are to provide immediately the total price of the rent, without "surprises" on additional costs or taxes and to specify whether the offer of an individual or a professional, given that both cases are subject to different rules. In addition, the company must not encourage consumers to bring an action in a court other than the country of residence, can not unilaterally change the conditions and must clearly define the terms of repayment, without depriving consumers of their rights . 19659006] Tourist rental, Airbnb agreement – Tuscany Region for collection
Reply: of our maximum transparency
Airbnb has already responded to the Commission's findings: Our commitment to the community for maximum transparency – said a spokesman for the company – Before proceeding to the Booking guests are aware of all items of expenses, including service charges and taxes. We will work with the authorities to clarify the points that have been raised. Hoteliers, the category that has suffered the most from online platforms, are more satisfied. The breakthrough of Airbnb in the sector has had effects and controversies similar to those of the many clashes between the new concert economics platforms (think only to Uber for transport) and the traditional actors of the segment. In this case too, the problem is mainly legal, in that new platforms are accused of evading traditional legislation, offering the same service without the same weight of rules and taxes.
From Federalberghi to Centinaio, based on the meadows
Federalberghi, the professional badociation, says that Airbnb has always stolen laws, including Italian: Airbnb – comments Federalberghi – had disputed the applicability of the Italian standard on dry coupons, complaining of not being able to distinguish between host entrepreneurs and hosts contractors. The Federation has been fighting for years against the fable of sharing, with direct attacks on the business model of Airbnb. In a report on the subject, the badociation notes some inconsistencies with the principle of rent-sharing, finding that more than 75% of rentals are available for more than six months and, in some cases, they emerge host with more than 500 houses for rent. Gian Marco Centinaio, Minister of Agriculture, was also sensitive about the subject by announcing an Italian law in September or October: We must absolutely intervene as quickly as possible – he said, speaking of Airbnb – We have already talked about it with the offices, Above all ours as well as theirs: the situation can not remain as it is.
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