Airbnb hits out at Government’s plan to restrict lettings
AIRBNB has lashed out at the Government’s plan to limit short-term lettings, describing it as ‘one of the most restrictive’ in Europe.
Under the new rules, hosts will have to apply for planning permission if they want to rent out their properties for more than 60 days per year.
Airbnb yesterday hit out at the plan, saying: ‘It is complex and confusing, and will increase costs, red tape and bureaucracy for everyone.’
The Department of Housing issued a circular to the chief executives of the State’s local authorities in recent days, outlining the new criteria for such applications.
It highlighted the ‘negative impact’ granting such applications could have on the amount of available residential accommodation.
It said: ‘The growing use of online platforms may, if not adequately regulated, facilitate and encourage this trend.’
The new guidelines state that an individual applying for a change of use for shortterm letting of an apartment must ensure the letting does not exceed 60 nights in any one year and no more than five consecutive nights in any specific letting. It also states that a maximum of two rooms per apartment can be occupied each night with no more than four guests.
Hosts who let their properties in tourist hot spots are also told to consider whether their short-term let is resulting in reduced accommodation for locals and increased pressure for houses.
Yesterday, Airbnb said the guidelines were ‘a step in the wrong direction towards one of the most restrictive regimes in Europe on how regular people can use their homes’. It added: ‘It is complex and confusing, and will increase costs, red tape and bureaucracy.
‘We want to work with the Government to distinguish between regular people sharing their homes and professional operators running a business, and make it easier – not harder – for families to follow the rules.’
Airbnb said the new guidelines ‘ignore’ the recommendations of a joint Oireachtas committee on the issue.
It said: ‘There is a big difference between occasionally sharing space in your home and running a business. The guidance introduces one of the most excessively restrictive regimes in Europe on how local families can use their homes.
‘The guidance means someone wanting to share a spare room in their apartment over a single weekend would need to apply for change-of-use permission, despite the property remaining their primary home and not actually changing from residential use. This will increase bureaucracy and red tape for everyone.’
The new guidance also suggests hosts are expected to apply for permission at the beginning of the year, in advance of any hosting or bookings being made.
Airbnb said that this creates an unnecessary administrative burden for councils and residents.