Amsterdam and Airbnb have announced an agreement that will promote responsible home sharing and simplify the payment of tourist tax for hosts in the city.

Under the agreement the city and Airbnb will work together to provide hosts with clearer and more accessible information on the rules for home sharing.

Airbnb will also simplify the payment of tourist tax by collecting and remitting on behalf of hosts.

The partnership, which is the first of its kind in Europe, is good news for residents who share their homes through Airbnb.

It comes after Amsterdam City leaders called on a wide range of home sharing companies to share their ideas about responsible home sharing in the city.

It also furthers Amsterdam’s reputation for being a hospitable city that embraces innovation and the sharing economy.

The agreement will take effect from January 1st.

Under the agreement Airbnb and the city government will further develop the webpage for hosts that includes information and links to rules that may affect people renting their homes in Amsterdam, including a link to a brochure from the City Council.

Airbnb will also prominently display a summary of these rules and hosts will be required to actively declare that they understand and will comply with them before they can post their listing.

Airbnb will then collect and remit tourist tax on behalf of hosts beginning in February
2015.

Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk said: “We are delighted to be working alongside the City of Amsterdam to promote responsible home sharing in this great city.

“We are glad Amsterdam has enacted progressive rules that allow people to share their homes with respectful guests who want to experience new communities and live like locals.”

Amsterdam is an increasingly popular city to visit and local residents are enjoying the benefits of sharing their homes - of which 73 per cent are located outside the neighbourhoods where most hotels are located.

Airbnb data shows that the average Airbnb guest is over 30 years old, educated and professional.

On average, they stay longer than hotel guests and are more likely to return to the city.