State Government reviews ‘confusing, polarising’ Airbnb regulations

A BREAK at a waterside hideaway at Berowra Waters or Milsons Passage could be a thing of the past if tight regulations are introduced to Airbnb.

Susan Vincent-Billing with her children Leo 3 and Olympia 1 at their Airbnb in Milsons Passage that could be effected by changes or implementation of the short term letting strata and planning laws. Photo: Sue Graham

DISAPPEARING to a waterside hideaway at Berowra Waters or a retreat at ­Milsons Passage could be a thing of the past, as some short-term holiday letters may be forced to close their doors to tourists.

A NSW Parliament ­Legislative Assembly Committee has held a public ­inquiry on the “adequacy of regulation of short-term holiday letting”.

Hornsby state Liberal MP and Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Matt Kean said industry feedback was now needed to “identify appropriate regulations for short-term holiday letting as part of its response to the recommendations”.

Airbnb has become increasingly popular across the globe.

“We need to find what will work best for the people of NSW, which is why we’re issuing an options paper for discussion,” Mr Kean said.

“We don’t want a holiday accommodation market that’s so over-regulated it puts people off coming here but the rights of residents who live near these properties must be considered, too.

“While short-term holiday letting, if properly ­managed and respected by all parties, can be a boost to the local economy, the need to protect people’s rights to the quiet enjoyment of their own homes is equally important.”

A State Government spokesman said short-term letting had been changed by online ­booking systems and companies such as Airbnb.

“The emergence of online booking services and the ­development of the sharing economy has seen short-term holiday letting expand significantly in Australia and overseas,” the spokesman said.

Milson’s Passage Airbnb host Susan Vincent-Billing with her children Leo, 3, and Olympia, 1, who could be impacted by changes or implementation of the short term letting strata and planning laws. Picture: Sue Graham

Legislative Assembly chairman and Oatley state Liberal MP Mark Coure said stakeholders were “polarised” over the issue.

“Many people supported an easing of rules governing short-term letting as a way to grow tourism and broaden ways to earn income from under-utilised assets,” Mr Coure said.

“Others saw short-term letting as an impost in residential areas and as having an unfair advantage over traditional accommodation providers whose costs and obligations reflect their commercial status.

“On this question there can be no doubt — the current arrangements are fragmented and confusing.’’

Country manager of Airbnb Australia Sam McDonagh said Airbnb ­welcomed the “NSW Government’s decision to support innovation and home sharing and to move to the final stage of consultation about balanced regulations in this state”.

“(The) announcement, which supports the parliamentary committee’s report and recommendations, is a strong, positive step towards ensuring fair and progressive rules and ­regulation for residents and visitors to NSW,” Mr McDonagh said.

According to Airbnb Australia significant property damage, which is a concern for strata managers, was ­reported to Airbnb only 0.009 per cent of the time.

“The NSW Government is absolutely right in making moves to crack down on bad behaviour,” Mr McDonagh said. “We will happily stand beside them to support regulations which ensure people’s rights to respectfully and responsibly share their homes are protected.’’

UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK FOR HOSTS

Susan Vincent-Billing with her daughter Olympia, 1, at their Airbnb in Milsons Passage. Photo: Sue Graham

AIRBNB hosts Susan Vincent-Billing and her husband Daniel Morrison have been inviting people from across the globe into their homes for the past year — but the couple are concerned new strata and planning laws may force them to remove their listings.

The family provide short-term holiday letting of their home in Milsons Passage and apartment in Neutral Bay, which allows the parents of two to provide a “unique and diverse lifestyle” for their children.

“It has become a juggling act between ensuring our neighbours and strata managers are happy and providing a unique holiday experience for our guests, but that could all change when these new laws are implemented,” Ms Vincent-Billing said.

“If we are not allowed to let out our homes on Airbnb we won’t be able to afford to keep them.”

Susan Vincent-Billing could be forced to sell up if neighbours dispute an application for short-term holiday letting. Photo: Sue Graham

The couple said several families in Milsons Passage had their properties listed on Airbnb but that some of their neighbours were “anti-Airbnb”.

“They don’t want anyone knowing about their little slice of heaven or the fact that you can purchase a waterside home for around $500,000,” Ms Vincent-Billing said.

“We are trying really hard to keep the neighbours happy. We have put restrictions in place to accommodate them but we are being attacked on all fronts. Who knows what these new laws could do to us.”