The urban planning department of the City of Brussels has sealed an entire building that has been providing illegal tourist accommodation. A professional operator was offering stays at four flats near Brussels’ historic market square, often called the Grand Place, on Airbnb.
The proprietor owns several properties in the historic downtown that he offers for rent on Airbnb. As early as 2017, the authorities dispatched several reprimands. The proprietor received no fewer than 10 official warnings, but continued the illegal rentals.
“These practices are miles away from the original idea: an extra bed at a local resident’s place,” says Brussels alderwoman for urban planning Anaïs Maes (Flemish socialist/Vooruit.brussels). “Housing units normally intended for the local rental market are withdrawn from it. It’s to the detriment of Brussels residents and is unacceptable.”
The use of seals to close down a property is a radical method, but the administrative fines can be quite high: some professional operators are being fined up to €700,000.
Alderwoman Anaïs Maes: “This strong signal is intended to show our determination and warn operators offering illegal tourist lodgings that we won’t hesitate to apply repressive methods to guarantee affordable housing in our city.
