‘Self-isolation specials’ spruiked for holiday rentals amid outrage
Holiday rental operators are advertising discount deals for people looking to self-isolate somewhere idyllic. It could help businesses stay afloat, but locals are urging city-dwellers to stay away.
“Self-isolation specials” are being spruiked for holiday home rentals amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Beach houses and cabins are being offered at discounts of up to 30 per cent for up to a month across Victoria.
But the deals have infuriated holiday hotspot locals, who have warned city-dwellers to stay away with concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
RELATED: Melbourne home values: March improvement despite looming falls
Coronavirus: Market adapts as auctions ‘drop dramatically’
Coronavirus real estate: how to bid at a digital auction
Valley Ranges Getaways director Peta Rolls said many short-term holiday rentals in the Dandenongs were still open for business and being cleaned more thoroughly for visitors.
“It really helps out the property owners, local businesspeople and it keeps our staff employed,” Ms Rolls said.
“It’s a way people can be safe and set up to isolate with full cooking and laundry facilities, while being in a beautiful environment with plenty of fresh air.”
Mornington Peninsula Rentals director Nancy McGuire said some holiday-home owners had relocated from Melbourne to hunker down by the coast during the shutdown.
“Most of our landlords here have just blocked out bookings until September after we had 100 per cent cancellation over Easter,” Ms McGuire said.
“There’s a lot of work involved with booking and later cancelling, so it’s our preference that landlords block out their properties as unavailable in case we go into lockdown and people can’t come at all.”
There had been inquiries about whether any of the 50 holiday homes managed by the company would be up for long-term lease, she said. .
It comes as furious peninsula locals sent a clear message to tourists and part-time residents to stay away during the health crisis. Signs popped up across the southern peninsula last weekend telling visitors to “stay in their own postcodes”.
Geelong-based senator Sarah Henderson said people renting accomodation spots along the Great Ocean Rd over the Easter break could be subject to a $20,000 fine based on the state government direction to stay at home.
“We want the Melbournites to get out of our region and stay out,” Ms Henderson said.
“Last weekend, we saw a shocking display of selfish visitors flocking to our beaches who did not care about putting lives at risk.”
Bell Real Estate Olinda operations manager Melissa Tovey said rental properties in Mt Macedon and Mt Evelyn had been “inundated” with inquiries from city-dwellers.
Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said a 130 per cent spike in furnished listings for rent in Victoria suggested holiday-home owners were seeking long-term tenants instead of tourists.
“If you’ve got an Airbnb property, trying to lease it out could be quite difficult this year,” Ms Conisbee said.
“But many of us are facing a lockdown in an apartment, so if you had some spare money renting in a holiday destination could be a way to go.”
Industry body the Australian Short Term Rental Accommodation Association, AirBnb and Stayz have called on the government to support holiday rental hosts losing income by making them eligible for small and medium business financial support.
Other measures to assist included mortgage deferrals, tax relief on rental income and rebates on tourism levies and land taxes.
READ MORE: Half-built Bayswater dream home sets price record
Coronavirus and Melbourne auctions: Online activity ramps up
Coronavirus: Buyers’ cheeky tactics to try and secure bargain deals
Originally published as ‘Self-isolation specials’ spruiked for holiday rentals amid outrage