Ten cities ask EU for help to fight Airbnb expansion

Cities say short-term holiday lettings market is contributing to soaring long-term rents

Ten European cities have demanded more help from the EU in their battle against Airbnb and other holiday rental websites, which they argue are locking locals out of housing and changing the face of neighbourhoods.

In a joint letter, Amsterdam, Barcelona, ""Berlin, Bordeaux, Brussels, Krakow, Munich, Paris, Valencia and Vienna said the "explosive growth" of global short-stay lettings platforms must be on the agenda of the next set of European commissioners.