Touché Janicesyd and Hubbie!
Individuals will get nowhere trying to fight this. This is what I reckon has to happen:
- The NSW/VIC Planning Ministers (read, other States as well) issue subpoenas to obtain all Airbnb’s client records.
- The Aust Tax Office then picks up all those who are dodging the payment of tax. That’ll hurt!!!
- The Planning Ministers work with the State Ministers for Local Government. They in turn work with Local Governments to round up those who are breaking the Development Consents on their buildings.
- They then take a Class Action to the Land & Environment Court and drive a steak through the heart of those using Airbnb to breach their development consents. This will send a very loud and clear signal to all others who are using other platforms to breach Residential Zoning Consents.
Remember this important thing: Airbnb have protected themselves. The onus for complying with all laws rests squarely with those using Airbnb’s internet platform to advertise and sell their properties to Tourists/Visitors.
I’ve worked on this issue for nearly four years. The resistance is massive and viscious. WHY? Because there is so much money involved. And there very much appears to be resistance at Government Level because some very high-profile an powerful people – Politicians included – are neck deep in this practice, which our Council, the City of Sydney, classifies as “ILLEGAL”. It is time that these people were called to account. They have inflicted very real pain and damage on those who have simply questioned the legality their actions.
Also ask yourself the question: “Who owns Stayz and what influence do they have with/over Governments?”
Here’s what is currently happening with Airbnb in Sydney:
https://rentingyourplace.com/ci/AirDnA-Sydney-AU-Airbnb-Data-and-Analytics.html
Think Docklands in Melbourne. Think Barangaroo and Darling Harbour in Sydney…do all these new Strata owners who have paid a mozza to live in their spanking new buildings want to put up with the trash that we live with daily?
Our Legislators fall over themselves fighting to win their positions of power. It’s time they used that power to work for those who’ve elected them.
In November 2013 Brad Hazzard (then NSW Planning Minister) said in Parliament that there was a shortfall of 50,000 residential properties in Sydney alone. Add to this the reports of some 30,000 additional Airbnb properties that have jumped into the mix and see what this is doing to the affordable housing market.
And ask your friends who rent apartments how easy it is to find an affordable, liveable property?
Our Politicians ignore this matter at their/our peril. They must do something about this massive problem.
Write to your Premier and copy every Minister you can think of, plus your State Member and the CEO of your Local Council. And keep writing! Keep writing!
Go. Go. Go!