Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has today published a bill that would see greater enforcement of the regulations governing Airbnb and other short-term lettings providers.
The Short Term Lettings Enforcement Bill 2020 requires estate agents and online platforms to only advertise properties that are compliant with the Planning and Development Act 2000 (exempted development) (no. 2) Regulations 2019.
It would also allow for the issuing of spot fines to Airbnb and other providers who advertise non-compliant properties.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“The Short Term Lettings Enforcement Bill 2020 Bill that I have published this morning would strengthen the enforcement of the planning regulations for short term lettings what were introduced last July.
“The Planning and Development Act 2000 (exempted development) (no. 2) Regulations 2019 facilitated genuine peer to peer home sharing but required anyone short term letting on a commercial basis in a rent pressure zone to seek planning permission.
“A year later, and according to information received in response to a parliamentary question, just 637 notifications were submitted to local authorities to notify them that the property will be legally used for home-sharing or short-term letting, within the limits set out in the regulations.
“This is despite there being an estimated 28,000 homes available for short term letting across the State.
“This means that the overwhelming majority of short term lets on the market are breaking the law.
“The current enforcement regime rests with the local authorities, but unfortunately it is very slow and cumbersome.
“It is clear that stricter enforcement is needed and while the programme for government offers a vague commitment to strengthen the regulations, my bill does what many of us were calling for when the regulations were introduced.
“It would require estate agents and online platforms to only advertise properties that are compliant with the planning regulations.
“The bill also allows the Minister to give local authorities the power to issue spot fines to short term lettings providers and estate agents that advertise non-compliant properties. “
“It is time to get tough with Airbnb and other short-term lettings providers. The regulations introduced last year were a good first step but it is clear that stronger enforcement is needed.”
