Thank goodness for our academics at Sydney University and UNSW.
It’s strange that the NSW Tenants’ Union Report is in such disaccord with research and work done by Tenant Union/Bodies across North America, Europe and elsewhere. The Unions’ representatives here in NSW have simply been asked if any of them use/profit from such short-term rentals, given that they are on the public record of saying it’s OK to sublet to Airbnb occupiers. They haven’t responded.
There are interesting figures today – found here.
Seems Airbnb-type occupations are in breach of Federal, State, Local, all the way down to Strata legislation.
What protection for those who’ve undertaken all due diligence and hold Title Deeds on properties where Short-Term Rentals are specifically excluded and when the NSW Land and Environment Court repeatedly judges mixing them with permanent residents “fundamentally incompatible”.
Where will one be able to live if this sort of behaviour/letting/occupation is deemed ‘acceptable’; will they carve out new zones which are ‘Airbnb-free’? And goodness knows what such zones will be called if they’re not ‘Residential’.
And do we throw out regulations and all oversight on every level/type of housing/accommodation/shelter/shack? If it’s ‘complying development’, can we set up bunk beds all the way through our sub-ground garage levels and run a cheapie, stalag-kinda system down there? Then there are the Building Codes/National Construction Codes, Disability Access/Discrimination legislation etc – like all those discussed on last night’s 4 Corners, Coronial Inquests…