Long gone are the days when you had to be greeted by a real life human to check into your holiday accommodation, however, it looks like one city in Italy is about to take a step back from self check-ins – at least at short-term holiday rentals.
Authorities in Milan have issued a directive that calls on all short-term holiday rental owners to remove self-check-in keyboxes from public areas. From January, those failing to comply will be slapped with a fine of €400. The move comes after Florence implemented similar rules earlier this year.
But what’s the big deal? Well, while self check-in keyboxes are convenient for visitors, particularly if you’re checking in at an awkward time, critics have apparently described the boxes as eyesores, which ‘raise significant security concerns’ due to lack of face-to-face interaction, according to the Independent.
‘Self check-ins by guests lead to the improper use of public space for the benefit of private individuals,’ city councillor Michele Albiani said in a statement. ‘Furthermore, the uncontrolled proliferation of lockboxes may cause inconvenience for residents.’
So, if you’re planning on visiting Milan in the new year, it might not be as easy as dialling in a code to collect your key and gain access to your apartment. Why not have a look at our favourite hotels in the city?
Why are short-term lets so controversial?
The proliferation of short-term holiday lets has been blamed for the rise in rent costs in cities across Europe. A long list of places – from Spain to Budapest and Athens – have announced plans to clamp down on the number of holiday lets over the last year. This summer, mass protests took place over the continent, calling on governments to curb visitor numbers and tackle problems including the housing crisis.
However, platforms that host short-term holiday rentals argue that the blame doesn’t fall entirely on them.
‘We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres [but] the reality is overtourism is really driven by the hotels,’ Theo Yedinsky, vice-president for public policy at Airbnb told the Financial Times. ‘It is totally unfair.’
Overtourism coverage on Time Out
Can Europe can ever recover from current overtourism levels? Here’s how you can be a better and a more sustainable tourist when you travel.
Did you see that this incredible immersive artwork is officially the best new thing to do in the world in 2026?
Plus: This European capital has once again topped a list of the world’s 100 best cities.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.