AGPI, with European support, is working to eliminate or reform Romania’s “neighbor consent” requirement for short-term rentals

The Association of Property Owners of Romania (AGPI) has launched an official national and European initiative to eliminate or significantly reform the current legal requirement for neighbor consent in short-term rental (STR) licensing procedures.

This campaign is conducted under the guidance and support of the European Holiday Home Association (EHHA) — the leading European organization representing short-term rental associations — and aims to align Romania with EU principles of proportionality, fairness, and non-discrimination.

A flawed and disproportionate legal framework

Under current Romanian law, property owners must obtain written consent from neighboring residents before registering a short-term rental.
In practice, this system has proven unjust, inconsistent, and discriminatory, as shown by AGPI’s in-depth legal analysis.

The report highlights numerous structural flaws, including:

• Inability to obtain consent when neighbors are absent or deceased;

• Arbitrary refusals (“we don’t want tourists”) without justification;

• Illegal additional fees imposed by homeowners’ associations;

• Lack of a standardized appeal or review procedure;

• Unequal treatment among identical properties;

• GDPR violations through collection of personal data (names, CNPs);

• Withdrawal of consent at any time, jeopardizing entire businesses.

This has forced many owners to operate outside the legal framework, as the current process is bureaucratic, subjective, and unworkable.

Support from the European Holiday Home Association

With EHHA’s legal and institutional backing, AGPI is pursuing formal engagement with the European Commission, invoking the EU Services Directive, which mandates that any national restriction must be:

• Proportionate,

• Justified,

• Non-discriminatory.

Should Romania fail to comply or to notify Brussels of its restrictive legislation, the European Commission may initiate infringement proceedings against the state.
AGPI is also advocating for the creation of a national appeal mechanism for unjustified refusals — currently nonexistent in Romanian law.

Next steps and EU integration

The new EU Short-Term Rental Regulation, to be implemented, introduces a centralized digital registration system for STR units across all Member States.
This system will replace fragmented national procedures and remove the need for arbitrary approvals such as neighbor consent.

AGPI is working closely with European partners to ensure that Romania’s future framework is transparent, digitalized, and fair, enabling property owners to operate legally and responsibly while maintaining good relations with residential communities.

A European voice for Romanian property owners

Through its cooperation with EHHA and other European associations, AGPI ensures that Romania’s property owners are represented and protected in the EU’s policy discussions.
By aligning local practices with European standards, AGPI advocates for rational, evidence-based regulation, where property rights and community harmony coexist in a sustainable balance.

About AGPI

AGPI (The Association of Property Owners of Romania) represents the interests of Romanian STR and property owners, working at national and EU levels to modernize legislation and promote fair, transparent regulation.