Adelaide City Council investigating short-stay accommodation regulation

ADELAIDE City Council is investigating ways it can regulate short-stay accommodation such as serviced apartments and Airbnb.

Airbnb could be subject to increased Adelaide City Council regulations. Picture: AFP / Lionel Bonaventure

REGULATIONS surrounding a range of short-stay rentals, such as serviced apartments and Airbnb, will come under review of the Adelaide City Council.

Councillors will be provided a discussion paper this month that will inform them “on the regulatory options available in regulating” the booming short sharing economy.

South Australia has one of the most deregulated markets in Australia, allowing owners to rent properties or rooms for short periods without the need of a development application.

This means about 1000 rentals in Adelaide can operate at the same regulatory level as residential properties — raising concerns from neighbouring residents over their ability to stop out of control “party houses”.

But city council could make an attempt to wrestle some control as part of a motion lodged by Councillor Priscilla Corbell-Moore in August for a review of sharing economy regulations.

In response to a submission to the council’s budget from the South East Residents Association, the report will be provided to elected members by the end of the month.

A council spokeswoman said the review would be comprehensive and not restricted to just Airbnb.

Regulations in the discussion paper to go councillors could include;

LICENSING serviced apartments as similar to backpacker accommodation under the Local Government Act.

CHANGING the definition of “home activity” in the Development Act that exempts short-term accommodation within certain limits from requiring approval.

INTRODUCING a new land use term of “party house” in the statutory planning system to require such properties to lodge an application to council and even enable prosecution under legislation if continued to be used in such way.

SECRA chairman John Underwood told The Advertiser the main concern was about properties not being under any conditions.

“If someone who owns the place and stays in them just one night a year then it can be classified as a residence and you can’t do anything about noise or bad behaviour,” he said.

Australian Hotels Association chief Ian Horne said he would watch the council’s moves with interest.

“This is about people who are making the decision to essentially operate a commercial business under the guise of a residence,” he said.

Major global cities have strict short-term accommodation regulations.