Airbnb Melbourne: Coronavirus risk for short term stay accommodation
Airbnb is refusing to remove listings from Melbourne virus hotspots despite the state’s top health officer saying they should not operate in lockdown areas and police warning owners they may cop heavy fines.
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There are fears short term rental accommodation providers are putting lives at risk while trying to make a quick buck during coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Dozens of properties across Melbourne — many which sleep up to 10 people — are still listed on short-stay accommodation platform Airbnb, with some offering discounted rates in a bid to entice people to book.
Areas where apartments and houses with ample sleeping quarters are listed include Docklands, Southbank, Glen Waverley, Doncaster East, Port Melbourne, North Melbourne and the CBD.
Several properties are advertised as “perfect for self-isolation” or a “staycation”.
One listing states: “Come and unwind at one of our luxury isolation apartments”.
Police are warning accommodation providers they could be fined for renting out their properties while lockdown restrictions are in place.
It comes as the owner of a Latrobe St apartment used as a party venue was slapped with a $1652 fine for “permitting that (party) to occur”.
Twenty-four revellers present at the July 9 shindig have also been issued fines.
And on July 13, 11 people were busted partying at a short term rental property in Point Cook and fined $1652 each.
The chief health officer directions state: “a person who owns, controls or operates an accommodation facility in a restricted area must not operated that facility during the restricted activity period”.
Airbnb’s head of public policy for Australia Derek Nolan said the company is “extremely serious” about supporting efforts to combat COVID-19 but has refused to remove Melbourne listings from its platform.
“We unequivocally condemn the behaviour of anyone flouting the rules that have been put in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
“We have contacted our Victorian community on multiple occasions to remind them of the critical need to follow government advice and adhere to the rules — including just this month.
“Our message has been consistent and clear: everyone must closely follow government advice and strictly adhere to the ruled.”
When asked if Airbnb would consider removing any listings within Melbourne, Mr Nolan did not respond directly but said there were “essential reasons” for short-stay accommodation to continue operating.
“We do continue to see people turning to Airbnb during times of genuine need, from healthcare and relief workers who need to be closer to work as they combat COVID-19, to those who are between permanent residences or cannot commit to long-term leases due to economic uncertainty, to those who have been forced to secure alternative accommodation for emergency reasons.
“These are just some of the many essential reasons people are currently using short-term rental accommodation during this challenging time.”
Mr Nolan said the company had been “actively discouraging” hosts from inappropriately marketing listings using terms related to the coronavirus pandemic, such as “quarantine”.
“Airbnb may suspend or remove listings that have inappropriate titles or listing content,” he said.
Under stage three restrictions, people are only allowed to leave their homes for four reasons — to get food or medical treatment, to provide care, or to go to work if working from home is not possible.
Anyone caught breaching these strict lockdown rules faces fines of $1652.
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