Property

HCMC Implements Strict Regulations on Short-Term Apartment Rentals, Impacting Airbnb Hosts

New Regulations for Short-Term Leases

Ho Chi Minh City has announced that only businesses with tourism service licenses are permitted to lease their units for short durations. The specifics of what constitutes a "short" duration remain undefined.

Rise of Short-Term Rentals

The surge in apartment towers in Vietnam's largest city has led many property owners to exclusively lease their properties to short-term renters. Platforms like Airbnb and social media groups have become popular tools for connecting with customers, often resulting in untaxed incomes.

Community Tensions

This trend has sparked conflicts between short-term tenants and long-term residents, with complaints ranging from noise disturbances at night to cleanliness issues. Additionally, the shared use of facilities such as elevators, gyms, and pools has caused discontent among residents, exacerbated by reports of illegal activities among renters.

Legal Oversight Challenges

Although the Housing Law prohibits short-term apartment leases, the lack of enforcement has led to widespread disregard of the ban. Analysts highlight the need for stricter oversight to address these challenges.