Ban dodgy guests, hosts

Support for strict NSW rental complaints code

GOLD Coast councillor Dawn Crichlow has backed tough new short-term holiday rental regulations flagged for NSW, which would see dodgy guests and hosts blacklisted.

Cr Crichlow called on the Queensland Government to investigate similarly strict rules to oversee the booming sector and help councils deal with complaints.

Under the proposed NSW Government regulations, guests subject to complaints under a Code of Conduct would be banned from staying in short-term holiday rentals (STHR) for five years.

Further, property owners who receive two “strikes” within a two-year period would be prohibited from operating STHR. The government is also seeking feedback on an industry-led register and allowing regional councils to impose a “nightcap”.

The proposed rules raised in a new discussion paper – which comes as Tweed Shire Council reportedly struggles to deal with a mountain of complaints – have been welcomed by online STHR giant Stayz.

Airbnb and Stayz have urged councils and local government bodies across NSW to be patient while the new industry framework is developed.

Cr Crichlow said she was particularly interested in a register, which would allow government at a local and state level to keep track of problem properties.

She said Gold Coast Council receives a steady stream of complaints about STHR.

“The permanent residents get very concerned. I still get a lot of complaints,” she said.

“They get people renting out their short-term accommodation and they don’t know who’s in the building and what they’re going to do. Something has to be done.

“I think the register is certainly necessary.”

Cr Crichlow said too many STHR owners “are not even paying the right rates”.

She believes a register would allow the council and State Government to check whether a property is zoned to allow STHR.

Stayz corporate affairs director Eacham Curry said the NSW regulations would allow online STHR platforms to “act swiftly and decisively on those holiday homeowners and travellers who fail to meet our community standards”.

“In our experience, the vast majority of holiday homeowners and travellers do the right thing when using shortterm accommodation,” he said.

Thousands of Gold Coast residents rent their property through online platforms, but it is an offence to rent out a residential property without approval under the Planning Act.