This publication clarifies the scope and salient features of sharing economy activities in the housing market, drawing on a review of literature as well as available data on short-term rentals in the UNECE region. It also highlights the main regulatory approaches to the sharing economy.

The sharing activity specific to the housing sector involves sharing housing space in exchange for part of the housing costs. This publication aims to quantify the housing sector's collaborative activity and its key characteristics to enable an understanding of the real nature of sharing housing. It shows how short-term rental activity can substantially impact housing markets.