Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD has commented on information received from Dublin City Council which indicates that the overwhelming majority of short term lets are wilfully ignoring Eoghan Murphy’s new rules for the sector.
Deputy Ó Broin said:
“According to data I received from Dublin City Council (DCC) on the 12th of December, only 13 change of use planning permissions have been received by DCC since the new regulations came into force this summer.
“This indicates that the overwhelming majority of short-term letting providers are flouting Minister Murphy’s new rules and continuing to short term let properties without seeking the required planning permission.
“Given that data from Inside Airbnb today indicates that 4,663 entire homes/apartments are being let in Dublin today, just 13 change of use permissions have been requested.
“A further 238 have applied for and been granted a planning exemption on the grounds that they are letting out the property for less than 90 days.
“Based on that information not even 5% of the short-term letting providers are complying with Eoghan Murphy’s new laws.
“It’s also concerning that only 176 enforcement investigations have commenced since the beginning of July, with just one prosecution initiated.
“Short term letting platforms should be held also share some responsibility and should not be advertising illegal short term lets.
“Minister Murphy should revisit his opposition to legally obliging short term letting platforms to police their listings.
“He must also ensure that local authorities have the resources required to enforce the planning regulations.”
ENDS//
NOTE TO EDITOR – info from Dublin City Council below.
- The number of planning exemptions granted for short term lets since the regulations came into force: 238
- The number of planning exemptions sought since the new regulations came into force: 238
- The number of new planning permissions sought for term letting purposes and the number granted:
13x Change of use applications have been received to-date.
0x Change of use planning permissions have been granted
2x applications withdrawn
2x applications invalidated
7x Change of use planning applications have been refused.
1 x awaiting decision.
4. The number of planning retentions for short term letting purposes sought and granted since the new regulations came into force: None
5. How many planning enforcement actions are in train or have been taken to date?
Since 1st July 2019 176 investigations initiated and Warning Letters issued. 15 Enforcement Notices have been issued in respect of these cases. 1 Prosecution has been initiated.
