The Macau government plans to amend laws to prohibit visitors from renting residential dwellings, aimed at further combating “illegal accommodations.”
Current laws in Macau prohibit offering residential apartments and homestays for visitors, indicating that so-called “Airbnb” style services are illegal in Macau. While those providing accommodation are punished and their apartments seized for a period of time, visitors living in “illegal accommodations” do not face any penalties under current restrictions.
In the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly last Friday, the Secretary for Administration and Law, Cheong Weng Chon, said the government is considering extending punishment to cover visitors.
“Visitors should stay in hotels when they visit Macau, but not in apartments,” he noted.
The concept is only a preliminary idea at this stage with further discussion between owners, management companies and real estate agents set to be held in the future.
