NSW Needs Nationwide Regulation on Short-Term Holiday Rentals, Say Airbnb, Stayz

Holiday rental booking companies Airbnb and Stayz have called on the government to introduce an NSW-wide regulation for the growing sector. The two companies seek clear and consistent regulations across the state, Domain News reported.

Airbnb and Stayz recently appeared at a parliamentary inquiry with the Legislative Assembly's committee on environment and planning on whether regulation is adequate for short-term letting in NSW. The Holiday Rental Industry Association was also present.

Trevor Atherton of HRIA said there needs to be a mandatory code of conduct that would address concerns raised over noise and amenities, to which Anton Stanish, regional director at Stayz, agreed. But Stayz wants "clear and consistent guidelines" across the state, not "harsh regulations." Stayz lists about 43,000 properties across the country.

Mike Orgill, an executive at Airbnb, agreed with the consistency of regulations but doesn't share the same sentiment regarding mandatory code of conduct. Orgill is coming from the fact that many Airbnb hosts are renting their own homes or rooms within, and said that the code of conduct is "designed for professional operators."

"At a state level, we need some kind of statement clarifying that renting out your principal place of residence [as a short-term rental] is a permissible use," said Orgill, per Financial Review. "We need to give the Airbnb community the clarity they need to participate in the sharing economy."

According to Orgill, short-term holiday renting is contributing positively to the economy. He also addressed accusations that most of its users are commercial businesses, saying that its typical host earns an additional $4,600 a year which help them pay for their bills and extra expenses. Last year, Airbnb recorded 35 million guests who booked through the site.

The committee is expected to release its report and recommendations to the government for better management of short-term letting in NSW by the middle of the year.