Extra pet bond
Crack down on Airbnb
HOBART’S rental situation is changing in many different ways. We have elderly persons and families with children camping on the Hobart Showground because they are unable to find long-term accommodation. The legalisation of short-term visitor accommodation (Airbnb and the like) by the Tasmanian Government on July 1 last year has rarely been mentioned as a contributing factor. Since that time, many of Hobart’s long-term rental properties have been converted to short-term visitor accommodation creating an acute shortage and dramatically increasing rents. New York and Barcelona legalised short-term visitor accommodation, resulting in similar poor outcomes. These and many other cities have reversed their decisions and are now desperately trying to cope with the long-term social damage. Tasmanian legislators have not learnt anything from this. An unfurnished two-bedroom unit without car parking in Battery Point was advertised with a 12-month lease at $380 a week. The owner was inundated with 50 applications in 24 hours. Many applicants tried to outbid each other, with the highest bid $550 a week. Comparable two-bedroom units in the same area could be found on Airbnb for $230-290 a night. The policy of legalising short-term visitor accommodation has failed. It is disadvantaging residents, creating social inequality and should be reversed without delay to prevent further harm. IF a landlord is forced to allow pets on his own commercial property, he may have to levy a bond against damage or disturbance: $500 per cat or $1000 per dog. No cows or horses.
Still waiting
HOPEFULLY none of the people in a predicament with housing and health voted for the Libs. They had ample time to get us moving the right way and failed. I would challenge any of the stats on health and housing. As far as housing goes, they say the average wait is 63 weeks for priority. We have been on priority for 120 weeks. We have been on a waiting list for dental A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website.