BRUSSELS: The EU told Airbnb on Monday to bring its terms and conditions into line with the bloc’s consumer rules or face action by national consumer agencies, after a review of the short-term rental platform found some violations.
Some of Airbnb’s terms and the way it presents its prices breach the bloc’s unfair commercial practices directive, the unfair contract terms directive and the regulation on jurisdiction in civil and commercial matters, the EU executive said.
San Francisco-based Airbnb and similar rental platforms, which help homeowners rent out their homes or rooms for short periods, have grown in popularity in recent years because of their competitive prices in comparison with hotels.
“But popularity cannot be an excuse for not complying with EU consumer rules. Consumers must easily understand ... how much they are expected to pay for the services and have fair rules for example on cancelation of the accommodation by the owner,” EU Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova said in a statement.
The company has until the end of August to present its proposals for responding to the criticism which will then be reviewed by the Commission and national consumer authorities. It could face fines if it does not comply with EU rules.
The EU executive said Airbnb should state whether accommodation is offered by a private individual or a professional, provide details of the price in a clear way and modify its terms of service to make them fairer to consumers.
Airbnb did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The issue came to light after national consumer agencies in June examined Airbnb’s business practices published in different languages.
Rental platforms have come under fire for driving up property prices and contributing to a housing shortage in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and other big cities.
Airbnb breaches EU consumer rules, must fall into line
Airbnb breaches EU consumer rules, must fall into line
Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,709
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index dipped on Thursday, losing 138.89 points, or 1.28 percent, to close at 10,709.04.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR6.59 billion ($1.75 billion), as 102 of the listed stocks advanced, while 154 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index decreased, down 22.40 points or 1.52 percent, to close at 1,450.58.
The Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu lost 123.85 points, or 0.54 percent, to close at 22,792.98. This came as 30 of the listed stocks advanced, while 40 retreated.
The best-performing stock was Al-Rajhi Co. for Cooperative Insurance with its share price surging by 9.96 percent to SR74.50.
Other top performers included Jazan Development and Investment Co., which saw its share price rise by 9.89 percent to SR8.33, and Gulf Insurance Group, which saw a 7.48 percent increase to SR23.
On the downside, City Cement Co. and Al Gassim Investment Holding Co. saw declines, with their shares dropping by 5.51 percent and 4.22 percent to SR11.50 and SR13.15, respectively.
On the announcement front, Almoosa Health Co. has signed a construction contract with Almajal Alarabi Group valued at SR608.85 million to complete the electrical, mechanical, and architectural finishing works for the new Almoosa Specialized Hospital in AlHofuf City.
The agreement, finalized on Feb. 26, covers all complementary internal and external works based on approved engineering designs to ensure the facility is fully operationally ready upon completion.
According to a Tadawul statement, work on the project will commence immediately, with an expected completion timeline of 16 months.
Almoosa Health intends to finance the development through a combination of its own resources and long-term Shariah-compliant facilities secured from local banks, with the financial impact anticipated to begin following the hospital’s completion and commissioning.
Almoosa’s share price surged by 4.24 percent to reach SR147.50.
