Specifications for renting homes for the Olympics
Travel agencies, realtors and companies involved in the Olympic accommodation program will be able to rent out private homes to visitors to Athens during the Olympic Games next year between July 10 and September 10, based on certain specifications provided for in a recent decision by Yiannis Patellis, president of the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT). Patellis told Kathimerini the goal is to provide as high a standard as possible and prevent visitors from falling prey to profiteers. Apartments or houses to be rented for a minimum period of two days and a maximum of two months must be legally built. They may be rented either for the entire two months or for successive periods, but only to one party at a time. Initially, only homes built after 1982 will be eligible and only if there is insufficient supply will older homes be considered. Homeowners are not allowed to rent directly to the public, nor to rent out single rooms in their home. If they decide to make only part of their home available, they are not allowed to use the other areas themselves for the duration of the tenancy, or allow others to use them. The contract will state the names of all the individuals who will be using the home. 24 specifications The homes should have at least one bedroom and living room, kitchen and bathroom and be fully equipped. Basement apartments are not acceptable. The main rooms should be have adequate natural lighting and ventilation, and not from a light well. If the apartment is in a building of more than two floors, there must be an elevator. Apart from sufficient furniture in good condition, there should also be a fully equipped first-aid kit in the apartment. Apart from the obvious things such as hot and cold running water and electricity, tenants should have the use of a telephone for incoming calls. Arrangements can be made with the owner regarding outgoing calls. Homeowners were given until April 30 to apply to EOT. Provided initial approval is given, they must then submit a ratified copy of their contract, the building permit or ratified copy of the purchase contract that shows the building permit number. They will also need a statement from the engineer responsible that the building has not sustained any earthquake damage or otherwise been condemned by the zoning service. If earthquake damage has occurred, the owner must supply proof that this has been fully repaired. Other requirements include the submission of an Olympic accommodation census form, an insurance policy against fire, flood, theft, earthquake and other civil liabilities for the owners and the tenants. Specifications for the interior are as follows: – A maximum of two people per bedroom, which should have all the appropriate furniture (beds, mattresses, bedside tables and so on). There should be enough sets of sheets and pillowcases for each bed to be changed every two days. – The living and dining areas must have sufficient furniture (sofa, armchairs, dining table and chairs, etc.) for all tenants. There should be a color television. – The kitchen should have sufficient natural or artificial ventilation, a sink with hot and cold water, a stove and refrigerator, cooking utensils and enough cutlery and crockery for twice the number of tenants. – There should be at least one complete bathroom with a 24-hour hot water supply and natural or artificial ventilation. If there are more than two bedrooms there must be a second full bathroom. Owners must supply at least one pair of towels for each tenant for every two days.
