Dark Mofo shows how great Airbnb is, landlord lobby says

Dark Mofo shows just how great Airbnb is for Tasmania despite what all the naysayers say, the state’s landlord lobby insists.

DARK Mofo shows just how great Airbnb is for Tasmania despite what the naysayers say, the state’s landlord lobby insists.

The comments were made by Tasmanian Residential Rental Property Owners Association president Louise Elliot as the Dark Mofo winter festival enters full swing.

Ms Elliot, who is running for Hobart mayor, said council’s attempts to cap short stay accommodation would also cap the city’s capacity to hold such vibrant events.

“Hobart council’s attempts to shut down on Airbnb could ultimately end up undermining the viability of events like Dark Mofo because people can’t access the range of accommodation options they want,” Ms Elliot said.

“Organisers have said that events are at capacity. In a similar way, traditional accommodation providers are at capacity too.”

Ms Elliot said a “much smarter” approach would be to consider density limits and prohibit foreign investors from owning short-stay permits.

Breaking News Breaking News Louise Elliot and Jeff Briscoe. Picture: Kenji Sato

However, housing advocate Ryan Posselt said short-stay accommodation should not come at the expense of Tasmanians having a roof over their head.

Ms Posselt, who is seeking election as a Hobart City alderman, said short-stays were putting upwards pressure on rental prices and forcing Tasmanians out of the state and on to the street.

Crowds at Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast. Picture: Linda Higginson

He said vacant Hobart rentals were the second-scarcest in the country behind Adelaide at 0.4 per cent, showing just how much demand was outstripping supply.

“Ms Elliott’s continued support for increasing the number of Airbnb style short stay accommodation shows a complete lack of understanding of the pressure in the rental market, and the resultant effects on the community and service provision to the population,” he said.

“She also fails to understand that banning new whole house airbnbs is an easy, and appropriate policy lever to pull while stock levels are increased.

“Ms Elliott continues to advocate for the wealth of a few over the benefit of the masses.”

Tenants’ Union of Tasmania principal solicitor Ben Bartl said rent was now more expensive than Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, or Melbourne having increased 27 per cent in five years.

He said there were 500 whole houses in the Hobart City Council area alone used for short-stay accommodation.

“The Hobart City Council municipality already has the highest density of short-stay accommodation of any capital city in Australia,” Mr Bartl said.

“With Hobart already having the highest density of short-stay accommodation of any capital city in Australia, it is clear that airbnb and short-stay accommodation needs to be capped urgently.”

Bond

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Originally published as Dark Mofo shows how great Airbnb is, landlord lobby says