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Starting from September 1, 2024, a new regulation will come into force in Italy introducing the National Identification Code (CIN) for short-term rentals. This code represents a significant turning point in the tourist rental sector, aimed at ensuring greater transparency and combating tax evasion, a growing problem in a market that has seen exponential growth in recent years thanks to platforms such as Airbnb and Booking.com.

Origins and Reasons for the New Regulation

In recent years, the short-term rental market has seen unprecedented growth, driven by the ease with which owners can rent out their properties for short periods. However, this growth has led to increased tax evasion and the proliferation of businesses that do not comply with local regulations, especially in the areas of safety and hygiene.

The Italian government has therefore decided to intervene with the National Identification Code (CIN), a tracking and regulation system that requires all owners of properties intended for short-term rentals to register on a telematic portal managed by the Ministry of Tourism. This code will be unique for each property and must be reported in all advertisements, both online and offline.

How the National Identification Code (CIN) Works

The CIN is issued by the Ministry of Tourism through a dedicated portal, where owners must register their properties intended for short-term rentals. This code must then be displayed visibly outside the property and included in every advertisement. This requirement is mandatory for all types of short-term rentals, both those managed in an entrepreneurial and non-entrepreneurial form.

Security and Compliance Obligations

In addition to the CIN requirement, the law also requires compliance with rigorous safety standards. Properties intended for short-term rentals must be equipped with devices for the detection of combustible gases and carbon monoxide, as well as portable fire extinguishers that comply with current regulations. These requirements apply to all real estate units, regardless of the number of properties managed by the owner.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The law provides severe sanctions for those who do not comply with the CIN requirements. Those who rent a property without having obtained the identification code risk fines ranging from 800 to 8.000 euros. Furthermore, those who obtain the CIN but do not display it risk fines ranging from 500 to 5.000 euros. Violations of safety requirements are also punishable by fines ranging from 600 to 6.000 euros. For those who manage more than four properties without having submitted the Certified Notification of Start of Activity (SCIA), fines can reach up to 10.000 euros.

Conclusion

The National Identification Code (CIN) for short-term rentals represents one of the most important regulatory innovations in recent years in the Italian tourism sector. While on the one hand the new regulation aims to combat tax evasion and ensure greater security, on the other it poses new challenges for owners, managers and online platforms.

It will be essential to carefully monitor the impact of this regulation in the coming months and years, to understand whether it will be able to achieve its objectives without stifling the dynamism and vitality of a sector that has contributed significantly to the growth of tourism in Italy. As is often the case with new regulations, the success or failure of the CIN will depend largely on its practical implementation and the ability of the authorities to enforce the rules in a fair and transparent manner.

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