Summary:
Lisbon is set to hold its first local referendum to limit short-term rentals.
The proposal was approved by a majority in the Municipal Assembly.
The referendum questions will assess the cancellation and prohibition of short-term rentals in residential buildings.
The initiative gathered over 11,000 signatures for the cause.
This movement aligns Lisbon with cities like Barcelona and Budapest, which are also fighting against short-term rentals.
Lisbon Moves Toward Historic Local Referendum
Lisbon is on the brink of holding its first-ever local referendum aimed at curbing short-term rentals in residential buildings. The Lisbon Municipal Assembly approved the proposal on Tuesday, with support from the Socialist Party (PS), Left Bloc, Ecologist Party 'Os Verdes', PAN, Livre, and independent deputies. However, the PCP and MPT abstained, while PSD, Chega, Iniciativa Liberal, CDS-PP, PPM, Aliança, and independent deputy Margarida Penedo voted against it.
The movement has gathered enough signatures to hold the referendum. Photo: Orlando Almeida.
The referendum questions will now be sent to the Constitutional Court for review. If approved, it will be the first citizen-initiated referendum in Portugal.
What Are the Referendum Questions?
- Do you agree to amend the Municipal Regulation of Short-Term Rentals to require the Lisbon City Council to cancel registered short-term rentals in residential properties within 180 days?
- Do you agree to amend the Municipal Regulation of Short-Term Rentals to prohibit short-term rentals in residential properties?
The initiative stems from a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that stated short-term rentals are not permitted in buildings licensed for residential use. A group of citizens formed the Referendum for Housing Movement, collecting 6,500 signatures necessary for the proposal's submission to the Municipal Assembly.
The Growing Concern
Currently, in some neighborhoods, the number of short-term rental licenses exceeds 50% of the total residential units. Experts in housing have joined the movement, emphasizing the importance of preserving residential properties for their intended purpose rather than commercial short-term rentals.
During the past two years, the movement gathered over 11,000 signatures, advocating for housing rights. This citizen initiative aligns Lisbon with other cities like Barcelona and Budapest, which are taking steps against short-term rentals. In Budapest, a recent referendum showed 54% support for banning short-term rentals.
Diogo Guerra and Raquel Serdoura are part of the Referendum for Housing Movement. Photo: Líbia Florentino.
The local referendum is a direct democracy tool outlined in the Constitution but is rarely utilized. This referendum could be the first initiated by citizens. For the results to be binding, over 50% of registered Lisbon voters must participate.
This initiative is part of the Housing Cities project, a collaborative effort between Mensagem de Lisboa in Portugal and Slow News in Italy, supported by Journalismfund Europe focusing on Solutions Journalism.
Note: Adapted from a version dated September 2024.
Comments
Join Our Community
Create an account to share your thoughts, engage with others, and be part of our growing community.