($1 = 0.8953 euros) Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms are awaiting a ruling, due today, by a Berlin city court on the legality of home-sharing in the city. The practice is currently banned in Berlin, and people caught renting out their homes for less than two months can expect fines of up to €100,000 and although landlords can apply for a permit, 95% of such requests are rejected. In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, Berlin’s deputy mayor Michael Müller said that he was “very concerned” about the ruling. If the court rules in favour of home-sharing, the ruling would obviously not have legally binding consequences in other regions, although it is thought it would have repercussions across Europe. "Cities are closely watching each other to see what types of regulations are possible and Berlin's verdict will surely impact the behaviour of other cities," said Gracia Vara Arribas, a lawyer who advises the EU on the sharing economy.
Airbnb and other home-sharing platforms are awaiting a ruling, due today, by a Berlin city court on the legality of home-sharing in the city. The practice is currently banned in Berlin, and people caught renting out their homes for less than two months can expect fines of up to €100,000 and although landlords can apply for a permit, 95% of such requests are rejected. In an interview with German newspaper Die Welt, Berlin’s deputy mayor Michael Müller said that he was “very concerned” about the ruling. If the court rules in favour of home-sharing, the ruling would obviously not have legally binding consequences in other regions, although it is thought it would have repercussions across Europe. "Cities are closely watching each other to see what types of regulations are possible and Berlin's verdict will surely impact the behaviour of other cities," said Gracia Vara Arribas, a lawyer who advises the EU on the sharing economy.