Short-stays jolt worth $227m
THE State Government should “stay the course” on its approach to short-term rentals amid pressures to further regulate the industry, holiday rental website Stayz says.
The short-term accommodation provider said “kneejerk responses” would not solve complex problems like housing supply and affordability issues.
Stayz’ comments follow calls from Tasmanian Speaker of the House of Assembly Sue Hickey and Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds to restrict short-stay accommodation. Both said the continued emergence of holiday rentals in the greater Hobart area had contributed to rental stress and homelessness.
Cr Reynolds has suggested an extension of the current short-stay ban in Battery Point to other suburbs, and a 180-day limit on holiday rentals, which exists in the greater Sydney area.
But Stayz said the Hodgman Government is making progress on a regulatory approach to short-stay accommodation, including a datasharing system and register for all owners who let properties short-term, which commenced last year.
“Rather than jumping straight to onerous night caps and use restrictions, Hobart City Council should let the information that is collected by the data sharing regime point to solutions that will address the key concerns of locals,’’ Stayz corporate affairs director Eacham Curry said.
“Stayz advocates for statewide regulation that contains a simple registration scheme for all holiday rental listings, a code of conduct that is backed by a strikes-based disciplinary regime, and an industry body to adjudicate compliance with the code of conduct.
“When implemented correctly in other parts of the world, registration of holiday rentals has proven to be a lowcost and effective way of informing the development of sensible rules for our growing sector.”
Stayz said if enacted, a 180day cap would put $49.1 million worth of economic uplift and hundreds of jobs at risk.
Last year, Stayz engaged independent consultants ACIL Allen Economics to undertake economic modelling to show the effect the industry has across the country.
In November, the release of Tasmanian figures revealed the holiday rental industry injected $226.9 million into the state’s economy and supported 1646 jobs across the state in 2017-18.
Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the Short Stay Accommodation Act, which commenced on December 4, will enable collection of data to paint “a clearer picture of home sharing across Tasmania”.
“The Act will operate in conjunction with existing planning requirements to ensure that those providers who require planning permits are complying with those rules,’’ he said.
“Local councils administer planning permits and manage exemptions in their municipalities.
“Since the Act was passed there has been a transition period and we are already seeing evidence of compliance with the Act’s requirements.”
The first release of data under new reporting requirements is due as early as next month.