Bendigo council has taken the first steps to increasing rates for Air BnB hosts

If you’ve planned a trip to Bendigo — watch out. The cost of your Airbnb could soon increase. Find out why.

A local council in the state’s west has taken the first steps to charging higher rates to Airbnb hosts.

Bendigo council, on Monday night, unanimously voted to take the issue of rates to the Municipal Association of Victoria’s October meeting, in an effort to change the classification of Airbnb properties from residential to a higher rates category.

Councillor Jennifer Alden said the change was an attempt to address rental shortages in the town.

“We are seeing ever-increasing homeless population, the waiting listing blowing, over three thousand people, minimal rental availability,” she said.

“This could make long-term rentals a more attractive proposition for property owners... to try and address what is such a critical issue in our city.”

However, Airbnb has hit back, calling the proposal an “ill-conceived” idea that would only put “significant strain on households”.

“Neither Airbnb nor our Host community is opposed to short-term rentals being regulated,” Australia and New Zealand country manager Susan Wheeldon said.

“(But) as Australians face sharply rising costs of living and economic uncertainty, now is not the time for making sudden policy changes, without consultation, that will put significant strain on households.

“Differential rates will place further financial pressure on everyday people who share their homes to help make ends meet.”

She said it was not Airbnb causing the housing crisis — rather it was the “sheer volume of empty dwellings”.

Ms Wheeldon said increasing rates for Airbnb owners would only reduce tourism in the towns, as the rates increase would be passed onto travellers.

“Proposals like these, if implemented, hurt guests and the broader community who rely on short-stay accommodation to travel affordably in Australia,” she said.

“Airbnb is keen to play a part in helping to provide meaningful solutions and tackle this issue in collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders.