Short term renters fail to register with council

ONLY three property owners have sought approval from council to let out their homes for holiday stays in the past three years despite the number listed on websites such as AirBnb and Homeaway swelling to 15,000.

The Bulletin yesterday lifted the lid on the short term leasing explosion taking over plush Gold Coast suburbs, leading Acting Mayor Donna Gates to warn property owners could be fined $2500.

Under the current laws under the State Government Planning Act, property owners must be granted approval to rent their property by the council after submitting a Material Change of Use Application.

Cr Gates said since the law was introduced just three applications had been received by council.

There had also been no fines dished out to property owners, although there have been “a number of show cause notices”.

Cr Gates said there were about 50 properties under investigation by Gold Coast City Council and if they were given show cause notices and didn’t act on them they could cop the fines. “Council will continue to respond to any complaints we receive about that activity, and obviously people will have to apply for approval or cease operation,” Cr Gates said.

But the law does not apply to everyone.

Owners that listed their property for short term rentals before February 2, 2016 don’t have to apply for change of application. This is due to the “existing lawful use” clause within the Planning Act.