Proposed rental law has gaps, says critic

A HOLIDAY rental marketplace has criticised the State Government’s draft legislation for not capturing the entire rental accommodation sector.

HomeAway corporate affairs director Eacham Curry said regional listings would bear the brunt of the new penalty framework, while many Hobart listings would continue to have no requirement to report their activities to state or local governments.

Planning Minister Roger Jaensch called for public comment on the Draft Short Stay Accommodation Bill 2018 on Thursday.

“While the Hodgman Government has made a good start on correctly regulating the short-term rental accommodation sector, it now must finish the job with a registration scheme that applies to all listings,” Mr Curry said. “HomeAway continues to support a tougher penalty regime, provided it applies equally across the entire short-term rental accommodation industry.

“The distinction between primary and secondary accommodation will mean only one segment of the industry is covered by the new law. This will leave Tasmanians without a government-supported recourse mechanism in the event of bad behaviour or safety concerns in primary residences.”

An Airbnb spokesman said the company “supports the current fair rules for home sharing, which help locals make ends meet and create jobs”. “We are carefully reviewing the Government’s draft legislation,” the spokesman said.