Prospective Airbnb operators will have to provide a police clearance to prove they are of good character, screen potential guests to ensure good behaviour and enforce a code of conduct for guests under a policy being considered by the City of South Perth on Tuesday night.
South Perth and the City of Belmont are some of the first local governments to consider short-stay rental rules after the state government flagged major changes to the sector in November last year.
City of South Perth deputy mayor Bronwyn Waugh.
Local governments have been given planning powers over any homeowner wanting to rent their homes out for more than 90 days a year in the hopes it would result in more long-term rentals put back on the market.
The South Perth policy was drafted by Deputy Mayor Bronwyn Waugh, but it does not have the support of city planning officers who have urged the council to wait for further details from the state government.
Under South Perth’s draft policy, the operator of a short-stay rental must produce a police clearance to the city along with their development application to confirm they are “a person of good character and repute”.
In addition to the police clearance for the operator, they must also produce a management plan that will outline how the owner will screen and assess prospective guests.
A code of conduct will be prepared by the operator that will apply to guests and will include rules around parking, noise and antisocial behaviour.
If the code is breached, it will be taken into account when an operator next applied for a renewal of their development approval.
Owners of serviced apartments wishing to become Airbnb hosts must also have a staffed reception desk.
South Perth has one of the highest concentrations of short-stay rentals in Perth, and one of the lowest rates of regular rentals.
The South Perth policy states that neighbourhood centres are the preferred zone for short-stay accommodation, meaning homes in the suburbs would be used as long-term rentals.
Proposals in other areas in the city will only be considered if they are within 200 metres of the old mill and Perth Zoo sites or within 400 metres of a neighbourhood centre.
City of South Perth proposed Airbnb code of conduct
A Code of Conduct shall be prepared by the applicant detailing the expected behaviour ofguests in order to minimise any impact on adjoining residents that includes the following:
(a) contact details of the owner and operator;
(b) parking rules and regulations and acceptable parking requirements (details are to include any relevant car parking restrictions applicable to the area in relation toparking vehicles on surrounding properties and within the local streets and anyparking arrangements required for the development);
(c) requirements around noise and antisocial behaviour;
(d) house rules for guests;
(e) guests must be made aware of the Code of Conduct, which must be displayed in aprominent position within the premises at all times and
(f) any breach of the Code of Conduct will be given consideration as part of the renewal of any Development Application for Short Term Accommodation.
The City of Belmont policy, which has been recommended for approval by planning officers, would also require a code of conduct and management plan be submitted with a development application.
The documents would cover similar issues as South Perth as well as occupancy and stay limits.
Belmont’s policy would also limit the short-stay rentals to an area near the Great Eastern Highway, where there are more transport and tourism options.
“It is clear ... that [short-term rental] uses are emerging in residential areas and areas with no tourist amenity or accessibility to public transport. This is not considered appropriate,” the city said.
Under Belmont’s plan short-term rental applications in grouped dwellings on lots smaller than 350m2 will not be supported.
“This position reflects the confined living arrangements typical of smaller lots and the increased sensitivity to amenity impacts in such settings,” the city said.
The government introduced its short-term rental legislation into parliament last week.
Under the new regulations, owners must register their short-stay rentals by January 1 next year before they can advertise and take bookings.
Read more
‘Big night out’ ends with Perth man allegedly entering wrong house, shot by owner
WA Liberals want probe into Burke’s links to $22.3 million grants program
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.