Hobart’s most ludicrously expensive Airbnbs revealed
A controversial topic in Hobart has been the price of Airbnbs, which have been blamed for contributing to the soaring costs of rent across the state. SEE THE CITY’S MOST EXPENSIVE >>
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A controversial topic in Hobart has been the price of Airbnbs, which have been blamed for contributing to the soaring costs of rent across the state.
Labor has advocated putting a cap on new Airbnbs, and has shamed Housing Minister Michael Ferguson for his own Swansea Airbnb which charges $2033 a week.
However $2033 per week is budget boarding when compared to some of the ritzier Airbnbs on the market, which can charge over a thousand dollars for a single night’s stay.
These prices tend to increase during peak times such as Christmas, a practice called “smart pricing” by Airbnb but more commonly referred to as“surge pricing”.
One Lindisfarne Airbnb called “Derwent River Home” charges $8699 per week, and a minimum of $2313 for two night’s accommodation.
Its Airbnb page boasts glorious views over the Derwent River and Mount Wellington as well as five generously sized bedrooms.
Over in Lenah Valley there is a one-bedroom house that charges $7370 per week, or $2888 for a two-night stay minimum.
The Airbnb page for the “Allegra Inn” shows one separate bedroom and what appears to be a kitchen with a bed in it.
The page says it is suitable for up to four guests, and is about 6km to Glenorchy CBD and 5km to Hobart CBD.
The most expensive Airbnb on the Hobart market at time of writing is a 7-bedroom house right on the riverwalk.
The five-star luxury Old Beach mansion charges $10,668 for one week, or $3196 for a two-night stay minimum.
The caps-lock laden Airbnb page boasts an “Amazing private retreat as it is surrounded by breathtaking panoramic water/mountain views”.
It describes itself as “proudly tasmania’s only 3 sided waterfront & largest newest award winning 5-star mansion retreat on the river/walk”.
The Airbnb algorithm notes that this particular short-stay is very popular, and is usually fully booked.
The very cheapest Airbnb listing in all of Hobart belongs to the Hobart Central YHA, which is offering a bunk in a four-bed share room for $287 per week, or $104 for two nights.
The Airbnb page says that guests need to bring their own padlock for their locker, and that all guests must follow all Covid-19 social distancing guidelines.
It also says there are “value-for-money” meals available at the attached pub Tom McHugos.
Matt Haubrick from the Housing Alliance, a group which is vocally critical of Airbnbs, said these figures were a shocking indictment of Hobart’s housing market.
Mr Haubrick said these Airbnbs put upwards pressure on Hobart’s already-inflated rental market.
“I think it makes it pretty difficult to convince people to keep their investment properties on the rental market if they can be allowed to charge a year’s worth of rent in one week,” Mr Haubrick said.
“It’s not just Michael Ferguson, there’s politicians and other representatives at every level of government and the bureaucracy who are benefiting from the system.
“The greatest [Christmas] gift of all would be housing as a human right, that’s all I’m asking for.”
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