Much to the delight of investors on the south coast who have holiday homes the NSW Government has done a total backflip on its intended GET TOUGH campaign of bringing controls in NSW to accommodation services like AirBnB and Stayz
Last year the State Government released a public paper outlining options for regulating short-term holiday letting across the state with the intention to take control over the ad-hoc processes and local regulations between councils. In general the government was looking at the economic contribution of the industry while managing any potential social and environmental impacts. There were a number of options outlined in the Options Paper including greater industry self–regulation, registration or licensing of Short Term Holiday Leases (STHL) operators, changes to strata laws and regulation through the planning system.
In the paper it also offered options such as constraint on short-term letters requiring a license, levy payments, an imposition of a time limit on letters.
The proposed changes were open to public and industry consultation. There has been a very vocal backlash by investors who stand to lose considerably if the changes are agreed to. In Eurobodalla there or over 1000 properties that are listed throughout the year with current off-season listings of Airbnb (220) and Stayz (274). Under the current model these STHL properties provide a better return to investors and also allow a side income to those who sublet in the short term (overnight) It is therefore understandable that coming up to a state election the proposal was met with strong opposition in the party room with the Premier forced to put the policy announcement on ice. Concerns are that without constraints residential investment properties will be pulled from the long-term rental market for the more lucrative commercial short-term letting market and with this comes the social impact of turning residential apartment blocks into "quasi hotels" and quiet suburban cul-de-sacs into year around party zones as has been the case in Byron Bay. The issue is now on ice however the fierce debate from property owners defending their rights to sublet while neighbours demand a ban on subletting continues amid solid lobbying from the hotel industry, strata owners corporations and companies like AirBnB. Do you own a holiday letting property in the Eurobodalla? Some inclusions for your compendiums: 1. Eurobodalla Council have just released their new Household Waste and Recycling Guide 2018-19. You can download a copy for your accommodation information booklet for your visitors to refer to HERE
2. Want to let your visitors know where to go, what to do, where to eat? Print out this compendium insert directing them to the comprehensive South Coast Travel Guide website where they can find maps, tourism flyers and all the info they need for a great holiday.
