QUESTION: What do I need to be aware of if planning to rent out an apartment as a short term rental? I am thinking of purchasing a unit for partial personal use, and partial short term rental for tourists. Would I be in conflict with strata or other laws? – Shorty, Sydney
ANSWER: Many apartment blocks don’t allow short-term rentals because they are unfair on long-term residents, including both owners and tenants.
Local councils may get involved if the short-term lets contravene their planning regulations and residents can (and often do) fight short-term lets through Fair Trading.
There are many buildings in the city where rogue short-term lets have been operating but residents are fighting to have them stopped. You don’t want to buy into that fight because you will lose, one way or another, and could find you either can’t let out the apartment or can’t use it whenever you want to.
However, there is a legitimate need for short-term lets in the city and you should look for buildings where the by-laws and planning laws permit them.
So check the by-laws and planning consents before you buy an apartment and you’ll save yourself and your prospective neighbours a lot of grief.
Send your questions to rentals@flatchat.com.au.