Airbnb vetting exposed

TASMANIAN councils are not required to conduct background or police checks before issuing short-stay accommodation permits to property owners, and one advocate says that should change.

The comments come after the Mercury revealed the owner of a luxe waterfront property, which was listed on Airbnb, was convicted serial rapist Shane Farmer (pictured).

Farmer was convicted in 2004 after he pleaded guilty to six counts of rape and eight other offences including abduction, aggravated sexual assault and administering a drug with intent to commit a crime.

He served 6½ years behind bars before being released on parole.

In 2015 he was fined $1200 after he pleaded guilty to possessing, using and selling cocaine.

On Monday, Farmer’s property was discussed at a Hobart planning authority meeting as he applied for a short-stay accommodation permit.

The permit was refused after neighbours complained of noise and bad behaviour from guests who had stayed at the property, which was exempt from requiring a permit at the time, through Airbnb.

An Airbnb spokesman confirmed the listing was suspended and an investigation was under way.

He said people convicted of certain offences, including sexual assault offences, are ineligible from holding Airbnb accounts.

On Thursday, a City of Hobart spokesman confirmed there were no requirements under the State Planning Directive to undertake checks and there were no rules preventing people with certain convictions from acquiring permits.

People Protecting Children president Allison Ritchie said there was a case to be made for checks to be required before hosts could offer their properties as short-stay accommodation.

“It’s become quite the norm for people to have a working with vulnerable people check across our working and recreational lives and I don’t see how this should be any different,” Ms Ritchie said.

“It’s something councils could request in the application process.

“I don’t see any argument to not support that process being a part of the application process through council.”

Ms Ritchie said councils could then make a decision based on the information returned.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson said it was very disappointing Farmer had operated the Airbnb. He said shortstay accommodation providers had a role to play.

“Councils have a role in respect of properties and planning but it’s the short-stay providers like Airbnb who have the responsibility to vet clients,” Mr Ferguson said.

He said he was pleased Airbnb had since excluded Farmer from operating.