Italy’s Council of State—its highest court—has re-instated a national ban on self check-ins for tourist rentals, but has left open a loophole for a technological workaround.
The ban, part of a general campaign to limit the spread of tourist rentals and ‘over-tourism,’ was introduced last year, but suspended by a court ruling in a lawsuit filed by rental industry companies that relied on lockboxes, electronic locks and other methods to allow guests to arrive and move in without being met by a host.
The new ruling says that the ban properly required ‘visual identification’ of the guests and confirmation of their documents and identity, but that identification can be done remotely under proper circumstances.
The court ruling specifies that hosts can still conduct check-ins remotely, provided that they use “video-link devices” to verify their guests’ identities. It says these devices include outdoor video intercom units and ‘spioncini digitale’ – digital cameras that replace (or are attached to) traditional door peepholes.
Although details of procedures must still be laid out by the interior ministry, guests would still need to upload documents, such as passports, to provide secure identification for the video check-in.
Property managers are split in their opinions; Airbnb welcomed the approval of video check-in, while property management companies and some consumer groups are unhappy either because they oppose the regulation altogether, or feel it does not do enough to limit use.
