How much does the Zug government know about the Airbnb market?

The cantonal SP parliamentary group is asking the government questions about the offer of housing with short or limited rental periods.

Offering rooms or apartments through the Airbnb accommodation platform is primarily financially lucrative for the landlord. Airbnb critics claim that this sort of renting - including by professional organisations – reduces the housing available to the local population. The SP Group wants to see how much the government knows about the Airbnb market in the Canton of Zug, and is asking critical questions. "Through our questions, we want to ask the government to take stock," explains SP cantonal councillor Guido Suter (Walchwil).

The SP Group has drawn attention to number of empty apartments in Zug. The Federal Office for Statistics (BfS) determines the vacancy rates of the cantons: if there is a vacancy rate of 1 to 2 percent, the BfS consider this to be a functioning housing market, whereas values of 1 to 0.5 percent indicate a lack of housing, according to the interpellation text. Figures below this indicate a housing shortage. "Zug is currently the only canton in Switzerland that is in this deep-red zone, with a figure of 0.42 percent," the group continues. “In addition to the competition between potential tenants, there is now also the competition of other forms of use.” By this, the group means short-term rentals, such as those by Airbnb or companies renting to people on temporary terms (expats). "These forms make more intensive use and higher returns possible," continues the interpellation text.

Guido Suter makes it clear: "We are not fundamentally against short-term rentals. If, for example, private individuals want to rent out their apartment during their holidays, or occasionally rent out a vacant room, that's fine." In focus, however, are companies or real estate owners who want to rent out entire accommodation areas for business purposes. The SP is asking the Zug government questions in order to assess whether regulations are necessary. These could include the number of flats used by Airbnb and expats, the opportunities and risks of such use, or whether the government has a strategy. "We will wait for the answers, and then consider whether certain regulation instruments are required," says Suter. He does not exclude another round of questions. Because: "The effects can be so serious that some countries and regions, including Swiss cities such as Basel, Geneva or Lucerne, are already trying to regulate Airbnb."