Airbnb is destroying our beautiful city of Cape Town, just as it has done so to major European cities. Local residents are systematically pushed out of their own city, with nowhere left to live! More than 70% of available rental properties in Cape Town are locked up by Airbnb for short-term lets ONLY. This very serious situation has devastating consequences for many Cape Town families who cannot find anywhere to live. Most Airbnb properties stand vacant during the non-peak season, a dire situation!

Cities like Barcelona, Paris, and Amsterdam have shown courage and foresight by implementing strict regulations on short-term rentals, thereby restoring balance to their housing markets and protecting their residents. Cape Town must follow suit. By enacting similar regulations, such as limiting the number of days a property can be let through platforms like Airbnb or capping the number of short-term rentals per area, Cape Town can protect its residents from being pushed to the fringes of their beloved city due to soaring rental prices and scarce housing availability.

It’s time for the city council to act. Implement measures that require landlords to register their properties being used for short-term letting, impose substantial fines for non-compliance, and establish clearer rules for zoning and property usage. These steps would free up housing for local long-term renters, create a more stable rental market, and ultimately allow Cape Town to maintain its unique heritage and culture.

The heart of Cape Town belongs to its residents, not transient visitors. Let's ensure the future of Cape Town is one where families and individuals can continue to live and thrive.

Sign this petition to urge the Cape Town City Council to Strictly Regulate Airbnb, protecting the community from unchecked growth of short-term rentals and preserving housing for local citizens.

https://youtu.be/cZMHAkT-qMI?si=HXB3QUrQkTuOM0Pk