B&Bs push renters out
ABOUT 60 visitor accommodation sites were approved across Hobart between July 2017 and last month, but council believes the true figure could be much higher.
As Hobart’s housing crisis rages on, a report presented to Hobart City Council’s planning committee tonight indicates 61 properties were approved for visitor accommodation between July and February.
Of those, 17 were in Battery Point and 10 were in Sandy Bay, with eight in North Hobart, seven in West Hobart and six in both Hobart and New Town.
In the Hobart local government area the number of homes offered on Airbnb was around 870 late last month. In mid-2016 that number was one in 94.
Committee chairman Alderman Jeff Briscoe said the 61 properties covered both Airbnb, Stayz and standard bed and breakfast properties, but added the figure may be higher due to permit rules.
“The Airbnb movement has been so open that it may not be the true picture,” he said.
“If you own a house you don’t have to get a permit, only for specifically bought properties for visitor accommodation.”
It comes as Tasmania is experiencing a housing crisis, with families camping at the Hobart Showground and others unable to find rental properties. Real Estate Institute of Tasmania president Tony Collidge said in Hobart rental vacancy rates were 0.3 per cent and homes for sale down to 40-50 per cent.
However, Mr Collidge said while the figure of 61 properties wasn’t significantly high, he said more regulation was needed to ease the housing crisis. “Let’s see people using homes for Airbnb 120 to 180 days a year so after that [they] can be used for medium-term rental accommodation,” he said. Mr Collidge said the crisis was also due to a shortage of new accommodation sites.
“It’s about how we ... get things built quickly, which will be helped by the new planning scheme,” he said. “Councils do drag out building and planning applications. We have [also] got to do more to free up affordable housing.”
Ald Briscoe said more regulation was needed, subject to further information about the “unintended consequences” of visitor accommodation.
“Whether the housing problem is all down to Airbnb is not that clear cut. We need more information before getting more regulation.
“While we feel sympathetic for the people living in tents [at the Hobart Showgrounds], we cannot jump to changing regulations.”
The State Government has pledged $500,000 for an emergency scheme that would see a mix of cabins and motel style accommodation made available for people most in need.