An attack on homeowners

Students returned to squares with tents to protest high rent prices in cities. The chairman of the Confedilizia association, Giorgio Spaziani Testa, says the protest has clear signs of instrumentalization, but that is the government's problem.

In some cities, for a long time now, sale and rental prices have been higher than elsewhere. However, in many centers where excellent universities are located, the rent for a room does not exceed 200-300 euros per month. Clearly, in the most attractive locations, only student residences and the like may be the answer, perhaps with benefits for deserving students.

The bill to regulate short-term rentals has been postponed until the next ministerial meeting. Both associations and hotels are protesting. What's the problem?

"There are not two categories here that discuss the proposal presented by both sides: there is an attacker and an attacked. The attacker is the one trying to eliminate alternative forms of hospitality, and the attacked is the one defending his right to use the property he has acquired through his labor and on which he pays a lot of taxes. The assembly point should be to refuse to cater to corporate demands and instrumentalization by a few noisy mayors. "

Short-term leases are contributing to the impoverishment of historic centers? "

"No. Historic downtowns began to be devastated much earlier than the boom in short-term rentals, for reasons mostly related to the viability of those areas. In many cases, this is an inevitable fate that regulation will not change. Venice is a prime example. A simple analysis of the data reveals that the historic center has lost a thousand residents every year since 1981. "

Salvini slowed down the bill, saying it protects private property. Is property under threat?

"Yes, that's exactly the defense of property. And most offensive to her are the provisions of this project that, despite the Constitution and common sense, prohibit one-night rentals and require those with two short-term rentals to become entrepreneurs. This is madness.".

The same Salvini suggested the possibility of a small amnesty. Is it possible?

"Of course it's possible. Anyone with a little knowledge of reality knows that in Italy there is a widespread awareness of the need to address the problem of transitions, through the purchase and sale, but not only, of real estate characterized by some imperfections that are not really so under the existing legislation. If it is done sensibly, it contributes to the real estate market and brings in some money. "

The European Commission is aiming to pass a directive on green homes before the end of the legislative term. What are the consequences?

"Devastating, especially for Italy, if this crazy train is not stopped as soon as possible, starting with the collapse of real estate values. And, therefore, the savings of families. Confedilizia has been loudly warning of the dangers of this measure since 2021. The government has pledged in Parliament to prevent the adoption of the text, which is now being considered in the so-called tripartite dialog. We expect good news.".

Superbonus and credit difficulties. How to get out of it?

"The immediate problem is stuck credits that correspond to blocked construction. The government should make efforts to address this problem, directly or through the controlling companies.".