The NSW Government has made some new reforms that are set to impact the volume of listings available for short-term letting platforms such as Airbnb.
On 21 August of this year, the NSW Government approved a legislative amendment which will see new regulatory framework set in place to govern short-term holiday letting.
The Fair Trading Amendment (Short-term Rental Accommodation) Act 2018 is the precursor to additional planning laws that, while yet to be enacted, will further regulate the sector. The reforms will impact that the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW) as well as the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW).
Most notable platforms affected are Airbnb and Stayz.
The reforms initiate three key changes:
- A code of conduct for the short-term rental accommodation industry
- A registration system of premises used for short-term rental accommodation
- Reforms to strata management powers to allow for prohibition of certain lots to be used for short-term rental accommodation.
Code of conduct for the industry
The introduction of such a code will most likely not be introduced or enforced until 2019, but it is important for developers and investors to be aware of the potential ramifications.
Short-term rental accommodation arrangements are defined under the Act as a commercial arrangement giving a person the right to occupy residential premises for a period of not more than three months at any one time. Those directly impacted by this definition are the letting agents, hosts and guests.
While not yet official, the Government has stated the following will be introduced:
- A 'two strikes and you're out' policy; hosts or guests who commit two serious breaches of the code of conduct within two years will be banned for five.
- A serious strike includes any behaviour which unreasonably interferes with a neighbour's quiet and peaceful enjoyment of their home.
- A complaints system, to be assessed by independent and impartial adjudicators, will be available to neighbours, strata committees and owners corporations.
- Platforms and property agents will have to check the complaints register before taking on new customers.
It is noted that the maximum fine available for contravening the code of conduct is $110,000 for corporations and $22,000 for individuals.
Prohibiting certain lots from future short-term holiday letting
A significant impact on the property development sector is the way the amendment affects the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (NSW). In this, owners corporations will be able to pass by-laws prohibiting a lot from being used for the purposes of a short-term rental accommodation arrangement.
Developers now have the option to restrict short-term rental arrangements for investment properties in developments from the initial registration of a scheme (noting that properties that are principal places of residence are outside the reach of the Act).
For existing schemes, owners corporations can only pass such by-laws by way of a special resolution, which requires 75% of the vote of the owners corporation.
More regulations are on the horizon
The NSW Government intends to introduce laws that will allow a host to use their home for short-term holiday letting all-year-round, on the provision that they are living in the home and present.
If the host is not present, the residence may only be used for short-term holiday letting up to 180 days in Greater Sydney. This 180-day restriction does not apply to any other areas of NSW, although local councils outside Greater Sydney will have power to impose limits no less than 180 days per year.
Is this good news for the hotel sector?
While one could argue that the current reforms will be welcomed by the hotel market, law firm Colin Biggers and Paisley (CBP) suggest that “short-term letting properties and hotels remain inherently different so therefore may continue to operate in their own respective market segments without too much overlap of guests.”
CBP also note that other factors, such as the new registration and regulatory requirements and increased attention from the Australian Taxation Office, may reduce the appeal of Airbnb hosts who prefer to work unofficially.
