Short-Term Rentals: Tourism Minister Deems Key Boxes Unsafe

Florence, a city already grappling with the challenges of overtourism, is now focusing on a new issue: the security risks posed by key boxes used in short-term rental accommodations. Italian Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè highlighted these concerns during the recent G7 summit, where she expressed plans to discuss the matter with Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi. Santanchè argued that key boxes, which allow guests to access properties independently, may compromise security, as visitors can enter buildings without being identified.

According to Santanchè, these key boxes, typically secured with a combination lock, allow travelers to access their rented apartments at any hour, sometimes as late as 1 a.m., without any verification process in place. This lack of oversight, she suggests, poses a direct conflict with Italian security laws, potentially leaving residents and neighborhoods exposed to unmonitored visitors.

In a bid to address these concerns, Santanchè plans to coordinate with the Ministry of the Interior, aiming to create guidelines or solutions that balance the demands of the tourism industry with the safety of residents.

Santanchè emphasized her commitment to collaboration with the Municipality of Florence, which asked for a Special law for Florence on the track of Venetian’s one, stating, “Special laws don’t interest me as much as working together to solve a problem. There’s no doubt that security is an issue, and we aim to address it as a team.”