Bass Coast joins other councils in push for tighter regulations for short stay accommodation

Bass Coast Council could join other Victorian councils in tightening their regulations around short stay accommodation.

Bass Coast could join the rest of the state in trying to gain more control over short stay accommodation properties.

Short stay accommodation providers will soon be subject to a new registration fee as the regulation of such accommodation moves to local law.

Back in July Bass Coast Council voted to include short stay rental accommodation in the local laws which allows council to set their own registration process and fee structure.

Council is proposing introducing a flat fee of $300 for registering short stay accommodation.

Accommodation Getaway Providers that serve food to guests will also encounter a new fee of $200 due to recent changes in the food act.

Council sets the fees and charges for the coming year as part of its annual budget process.

The $300 registration fee, if adopted, will come into effect in January next year and will likely be increased every year.

Bass Coast Council defines short stay accommodation as accommodation provided by the owner of a property, for fee or reward, to another person, for no more than 30 consecutive days on that property but does not include any property that is required to be registered under any other Act or regulation.

Owners of short stay accommodation will be contacted about the change in registration process and fee structure.

This proposal comes as councils across the state battle growing problems with short stay accommodation.

After a spate of unruly guests created havoc for neighbours in the Yarra Ranges, the council pushed for a statewide register of short stay accommodation.

They said this would allow more regulation around the industry.

Residents in Belgrave South complained to AirBnb when guests were seen urinating in the street and partying all night.

Mornington Peninsula Shire has also considered calling for a statewide review of short stay accommodation as the housing crisis worsens.

They believe the local housing market is at risk of being dominated by short stay properties and the government should do more to stop this from happening.

Over the summer period AirBnbs in the Mornington Peninsula averaged one complaint a day after an influx of properties into the short stay market.

Bass Coast Council could not vote on the matter at Wednesday’s council meeting as a result of too many conflicts of interest within council.

A separate committee will be established to decide on the matter.