Have your say about Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals

The Dept of Tourism has officially invited public comment on a new Code of Good Practice for Short-Term Rentals.  On the surface, it is presented as a voluntary set of ‘interim guidelines’.  As seen before, these guidelines are often a constitutional tripwire.  The Minister has confirmed this Code is the precursor to a full overhaul of the Tourism Act, which could introduce     mandatory regulations that fundamentally change how e travel and how we use our homes for rental income.  Whether you are a host or a guest, this affects you. 

As a host:  The Code opens the door for municipalities to reclassify your residential property as ‘commercial’, which could see your rates and taxes double or triple.  It also sets the stage for ‘90-day annual caps’ on rentals—a model already being discussed by the Department.

As a guest:  Your privacy is on the line.  The Code mandates that platforms share your identity and contact data with both hosts and government.  As compliance costs of the hosts rises and municipal rates rise, those          expenses will inevitably be passed on to you through higher booking fees.

As a commercial accommodation provider:  This could be good news as many view this ‘informal’ short-term rental option as anti-competitive.  The industry is concerned that they are not subjected to the same rates and   taxes, the same mandatory public liability insurance.  As they fly under the radar, many do not comply with strict labour laws and sometimes employ foreign nationals below minimum wages.

Could this be restoring the idea of renting out your spare room at a budget rate—the original idea behind it, and force commercialisation of those who are actually running formal businesses.  What do you think?  Link in QR