Whether it’s boats, cars, sports equipment or even whole apartments, today, peer-to-peer (P2P) renting, has become a common activity for increasing numbers of travellers. The rapid spread of mobile technology, the global economic crisis and changing traveller attitudes have all helped contribute to the growth of the ‘sharing economy’ - a multi-billion dollar industry that extends to nearly every country around the globe.

However, when it comes to renting out rooms or whole apartments and houses, it’s not just the host and guest that are involved. Neighbours, long-term residents looking to rent, local councils and tax authorities all have a role to play in monitoring and regulating P2P rentals to ensure safety, quality and fairness for all.

With regulations on vacation rentals differing from city to city (let alone country to country), there was an urgent need to look at the state of P2P accommodation rentals across Europe and propose a set of regulations that reflect the reality of vacation renting in the 21st century. TOPOSOPHY’s forward-thinking, but objective approach to this complex subject made us a natural choice for HOTREC to call upon for support.