Airbnb fuming over Byron Bay council plan to cap short-term holiday rentals trends now

Airbnb fuming over Byron Bay council plan to cap short-term holiday rentals trends now
Airbnb fuming over Byron Bay council plan to cap short-term holiday rentals trends now

Airbnb fuming over Byron Bay council plan to cap short-term holiday rentals trends now

Short-stay accommodation website Airbnb is up in arms over plans to cap holiday rentals in a popular tourist town to just 90 days a year, amid a rental crisis in the area. 

The Byron Bay Shire Council wants to restrict the number of nights a year property owners can host short-term stayers to free up spots for locals who need long-term rental properties. 

Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon hit out against the international rental platform saying its motives are clouded in 'smoke and mirrors'.

But Airbnb said the plan is 'divisive' and could have 'irreversible consequences' for the region's visitor economy. 

It comes as Byron Bay's rental crisis worsened after the Covid-19 pandemic caused a surge in domestic travellers to the famous holiday spot on the NSW far north coast. 

The Byron Bay Shire Council wants to restrict the number of nights a year property owners can host short-term stayers to free up spots for locals who need long-term rental properties (pictured, a home up for grabs in the short-term market)

The Byron Bay Shire Council wants to restrict the number of nights a year property owners can host short-term stayers to free up spots for locals who need long-term rental properties (pictured, a home up for grabs in the short-term market)

The cap on short-term stay properties comes as Byron Bay's rental crisis worsened after the Covid-19 pandemic caused a surge in domestic travellers to the famous holiday spot (pictured, Byron Bay)

The cap on short-term stay properties comes as Byron Bay's rental crisis worsened after the Covid-19 pandemic caused a surge in domestic travellers to the famous holiday spot (pictured, Byron Bay)

Airbnb Head of Public Policy Michael Crosby said the cap will place hosts on 'a vastly unequal footing' that will make little impact to boost affordability. 

'If introduced, a 90-night cap will ... ultimately hurt guests, local businesses and communities across the area by reducing choice, availability, and affordability of accommodation,' Mr Crosby said. 

'Crucially, the Council's proposal is highly unlikely to have a major impact on the availability of affordable rental housing ... and may have unintended and irreversible consequences for the town’s visitor economy.'

He added it would make it difficult for permanent visitors who find accommodation for non-holiday uses like accessing work, education or medical treatment.

Byron Bay Shire Mayor Michael Lyon (pictured) hit out against the international rental platform, saying its motives are clouded in 'smoke and mirrors'

Byron Bay Shire Mayor Michael Lyon (pictured) hit out against the international rental platform, saying its motives are clouded in 'smoke and mirrors'

Cr Lyon told Yahoo News Australia that Airbnb may be worrying about the

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