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Given the rise of online platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz, the NSW Government has commissioned a Parliamentary Inquiry into the regulation of short-term holiday letting services.

In response, REINSW has recently put forward a submission addressing the terms of reference for the Parliamentary Inquiry.

There has been a significant growth of short-term and online letting, dramatically changing the character of the market.  As mentioned, online booking platforms are at the forefront of this change, allowing for short-term tenants to easily access properties to lease.

The rise of this type of short term letting presents particular issues, including:

• breaches of  strata laws and by-laws relating to nuisance;
• breaches of Council and planning regulations by owners and tenants allowing short term stays;
• issues in relation to the safety of occupants and the amenity of the occupants of neighbouring properties;
• issues in connection with the collection of rent and bonds, as people who let their properties through online booking platforms are not licensed real estate agents;
• copyright infringements, as people may be using ‘stolen’ professional images to advertise the properties on websites.

 REINSW’s submission addresses the following topics:

• the current situation in NSW;
• the differences between traditional accommodation providers and online platforms;
• the growth of short-term and online letting, and the changing character of the market;
• the economic impacts of short-term letting on local and the state economies;
• regulatory issues posed by short-term letting including customer safety, land use planning and neighbourhood amenity, and licensing and taxation.

For more information on the parliamentary inquiry click here >>>