Suffolk Park property owner fined $12,000 by Byron Shire Council for unauthorised holiday letting after exceeding cap

A property owner has been fined for exceeding Byron’s strict short-term holiday rental cap – which is due to be tightened. The mayor says the council is “proactive” in relation to “curbing” holiday letting in some areas.

The property is located on Beachside Dr, Suffolk Park, according to Byron Shire Council. Picture: Google Maps

A Suffolk Park property owner has been slapped with two fines for exceeding the Byron Shire’s short-term holiday rental cap – which is due to be tightened further.

The council states officers found the owner was “well in excess” of the shire’s current 180-day annual holiday letting cap.

The owner was fined $12,000 in total after investigations into the Beachside Dr property, according to the council.

Suffolk Park is about eight minutes drive from tourist hot spot Byron Bay.

Ralph James, Byron Shire’s legal counsel, said in a statement by the council that evidence was collected over many months.

Cr Lyon added:“We looked at the booking data from the platforms and from the government register.”

“We also had complaints from a neighbour, who had observed the comings and goings of the guests,” he said.

“Council has been very proactive in relation to curbing short-term rental accommodation in parts of the Byron Shire to encourage more housing stock to be returned to the rental market.”

Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon says the council is “very proactive” when it comes to curbing short-term rentals in some parts of the LGA. Picture: Supplied.

It comes as the council is pushing forward with plans to build up to 150 affordable homes on the former Mullumbimby hospital site in the midst of a national housing crisis.

Cr Lyon said: “Staff have done a thorough investigation and they have found that the property in Beachside Drive has been let for short-term holiday stays for more than six months a year, which is a breach of the NSW government’s rule.”

“Council will be pursuing the payment of these fines and I hope it serves as a warning to other property owners that we are taking the regulation of rules surrounding short-term rental accommodation extremely seriously, particularly ahead of the introduction of the new 60-day cap that will apply from September,” he said.

The introduction of the cap from September 26 next year means landlords will only be able to rent out holiday homes for 60 days annually, down from the 180 days.

It’s hoped the new rules will free up rentals and alleviate homelessness and rough sleeping in the shire, though many properties listed online are luxurious, and expensive.

Editor’s note: The printed version of this article included an error - fines were stated as totalling $1200, instead of $12,000. We apologise for any confusion.