Radical plan to ‘p*** off’ Aussie Airbnb owners

With fears Airbnb is fuelling the housing crisis one politician has a controversial plan aimed at deterring short-term rentals.

It’s a radical plan aimed to literally “p*** off” Aussie Airbnb owners.

According to the Courier Mail, Brisbane Greens Brisbane Lord Mayor candidate Jonathan Sriranganathan wants to slug Airbnb hosts council rates 10 times higher than the amount long-term rental owners pay.

Short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, have been in the regulatory crosshairs of governments across Australia with claims they are fuelling the housing crisis by reducing the number of properties available as permanent rentals.

Mr Sriranganathan said the plan was aimed at dissuading short-term stays and could bring an estimated 1000 properties back into the rental market.

“Our goal here is to p*** off and scare away investors who would rather make money from Airbnb than make housing available to local residents,” he said.

“Our message to them is, ‘get stuffed, we don’t want you in this city’.”

Short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs, have been in the regulatory crosshairs of governments with claims they are fuelling the housing crisis.

He said Brisbane needed to get “on top of the issue” ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“If we can ratchet up the rates on Airbnb investment properties, some of those investors will sell up, while others will switch to long-term local tenants,” Mr Sriranganathan said.

“We don’t know exactly how many would switch from short-term to long-term rental, but we consider one thousand homes to be a conservative estimate.”

It’s not the first move against Airbnb hosts.

Brisbane City Council last year introduced a separate transitory accommodation rates category for short-term rentals, with hosts now forking out 65 per cent more than residential property owners.
And it’s not just Brisbane Airbnb hosts that could be slugged.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Valeriu Campan

Renting an Airbnb in Victoria is set to become more expensive with reports the state government is planning to introduce a tax on short-term accommodation.

Dubbed a “holiday and tourism tax” by the state opposition,The Agehas reported the levy, which could be as high as 7.5 per cent, will be introduced at state cabinet next Monday as part of a suite of housing reforms.

Michael Crosby, head of public policy for Airbnb Australia and New Zealand told news.com.au: “It’s important to note that the government has not yet made a final decision on its housing statement of intent and we look forward to continuing to work with the Victorian government on this important matter”.

Greens’ Jonathan Sriranganathan. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail.

However, Mr Crosby added that the company believed that a 7.5 per cent levy was “too high”.

“Airbnb supports policies that would help boost housing construction across the country, however, a 7.5 per cent levy that applies only to short term rental accommodation is too high, and would give hotels a free kick and create an uneven playing field,” he said.

“A rate that high could have a negative impact on the appeal of the state as a tourism destination, also penalising everyday Victorians at the wrong time.

“We believe a levy somewhere between 3-5 per cent which is in line with international policies, would be appropriate.”

The Victorian government declined to confirm the reports, with a spokesman telling news.com.au: “We know there’s no more important issue than housing – that’s why we’re working hard on a housing package and will have more to say so”.

-with Michelle Bowes