Amsterdam Eyes Stricter Rental Caps, Hostaway Unveils AI Suite, and Homelike Shuts Down 

Amsterdam Plans 15-Night Rental Cap—Airbnb Warns of Unfair Policy Shift

• Amsterdam plans to cap short-term rentals (STR) at just 15 nights per year in the city center and De Pijp starting in April 2026. 
• This would halve the current 30-night limit; the decision is still pending approval from the City Council.
• The city says this move targets overtourism and housing pressure, aiming to make busy neighborhoods more livable.
• This is part of Amsterdam’s “Holiday Rental Escalation Ladder,” a plan that could lead to a full three-year ban in areas with ongoing issues.
• Airbnb pushed back, saying its rentals make up just 2% of city center stays, compared to 90% in hotels, nearly half located in the same area.
• Instead, Airbnb suggests easing rules in quieter areas, allowing flexibility for families, and supporting rentals during major events like SAIL 2025 and WorldPride 2026.

Snigdha’s Views

• This proposal tightens Amsterdam’s already strict rental rules, which since 2020, have required registration, permits for whole-home listings, and a 30-night annual limit.
• If your properties are just outside restricted zones like the city center or De Pijp, you might see increased demand once the 15-night cap kicks in, as guests shift outward. But stay cautious—these neighborhoods could face tighter rules next.
• As part of its advocacy, Airbnb is trying to position itself as an advisor, suggesting more flexible rules by district, better distribution of tourism, and solutions for housing challenges.

• As city policies grow more localized and reactive, property managers should strengthen community ties and document positive guest impacts, showing neighborhoods clear value to stay adaptable.
• Amsterdam’s “escalation ladder” provides a clear model to tighten STR rules gradually based on local issues—operators should watch closely as other cities might follow similar frameworks.

Hostaway Launches Full AI Suite with Tools for Reviews, Quality, and Performance

• Hostaway has rolled out a new, bundled suite of AI tools designed to help STR property managers improve operational efficiency, monitor listing quality, and respond faster to guests. 
• It says this is the first time it has brought all its AI capabilities together under one umbrella, combining new and existing tools to provide what it positions as “a complete AI suite for vacation rental management.”
• Two new features anchor this release. First, AI Review Sentiment Analysis claims to scan and categorize guest feedback to highlight recurring issues.
• Second, the Host Quality Dashboard is meant to track performance metrics and guest sentiment across listings and platforms. 
• These new tools join Hostaway’s previous AI features—automated guest replies, task management, listing description writing, dynamic pricing suggestions, and fraud-protection tools. 
• According to the company, managers using Hostaway AI save an average of 60 minutes per reservation.

About Hostaway:

Hostaway is a comprehensive vacation rental property management software platform designed to help property managers and owners streamline their operations, grow their portfolios, and enhance guest experiences. Some of the features they offer include channel management, automation tools, and more.

Snigdha’s Views

• We spoke with Marcus Räder, CEO of Hostaway, following their recent $375M funding round. When asked what property managers can expect in the next six months, Marcus pointed to enhanced AI tools and improved usability.
• Hostaway is aiming to offer a cohesive, plug-and-play AI suite. It’s a smart move to bundle capabilities, but the real test is whether each feature delivers consistent, practical value.
• Tracking listing quality across platforms is tough. The Host Quality Dashboard can flag guest sentiment and underperformance, while the AI Review Sentiment Analysis scans reviews for recurring issues like cleaning or check-in problems.
• Together, these tools could help managers act faster—but their value depends on how accurate and actionable the insights really are.
• These tools are likely to benefit mid- to large-scale operators the most. If you manage fewer than 10 listings, the ROI may not be as strong, especially if your guest communication and review volume are low.
• If you’re already using Hostaway and operate at scale, testing the AI tools makes sense—but go in with a clear goal, know what problem you’re solving, and track whether it moves the needle.

Mid-to long-term rental platform “Homelike” Ceases Operations After a Decade in Business

• Homelike, once one of Europe’s most prominent platforms for mid- to long-term rentals, has ceased operations with immediate effect.
• In an official message to users and partners, the company confirmed that while new bookings are no longer being accepted, existing reservations will be honored.
• Customers can still access booking details via the Homelike dashboard until April 30, 2025.
• The official message thanks customers for their trust and explains that all existing bookings will continue “under the agreed terms with your accommodation provider.”

About Homelike

Homelike, founded in 2015 by Dustin Figge and Christoph Kasper and based in Germany, was an online booking platform specializing in mid- to long-term furnished accommodations, primarily for business travelers and corporate clients. At its peak, Homelike managed over 70,000 properties in more than 450 cities across Europe and the United States.

Snigdha’s Views

• In 2023, Homelike announced key milestones, including an eight-digit investment. But despite this momentum, the company filed for insolvency twice—first in January 2024, then again in early 2025—before ultimately shutting down in March.
• The company was operating in a competitive niche, targeting extended stays at a time when others like Airbnb and corporate housing specialists were also moving into the mid-term space.
• For operators who were using Homelike as a major distribution channel, they need to explore alternative platforms fast.
• On LinkedIn, reactions to Homelike’s closure have ranged from surprise and sadness to offers of community support to displaced employees and operators.
• With Homelike’s departure, competitors may initially experience an uptick in listings and interest from landlords and property managers.
• Was it an issue of financial sustainability, operational inefficiency, investor expectations, or broader market challenges? The specifics are yet to emerge fully.