Some apartment owners in New South Wales could be banned from renting out their properties on Airbnb, after the State Government reached a compromise position on laws governing short-term holiday rentals.
Strata owners corporations will be given the power to pass by-laws that prevent short-term letting in their block if the host does not live in the unit they are letting out.
It targets investors who buy up apartments to put on Airbnb, but allows owner-occupiers to continue renting spare rooms or entire units while they are not at home.
The deal is a compromise reached after a backbench revolt in the Coalition joint partyroom.
Better Regulations Minister Matt Kean has previously tried to push through a package of changes that did not allow strata owners corporations to prevent the use of Airbnb in their buildings.
He conceded it had been a complex issue to resolve.
"We've been grappling with how to regulate this industry for a little over two years," he said.
"There is genuinely a diversity of opinion across both the partyroom and the community … but I'm confident this package has got the balance right."
You can read the full article by Sarah Gerathy on ABC Online
