Perth Voice Interactive

UNHOSTED short-term rentals will only be able to operate 90 days each year without council approval under new rules introduced by the Cook government.

The amendments to the regulations are an attempt to sort out the sector following a decade-long debate between those concerned about long-term rental shortages and disrupted neighbourhoods and those who feel owners should have more rights over what they do with their properties.

Fines

As far back as 2015 Bayswater council tried to rein in short-termers, but some councillors baulked at the $200,000 fines flagged for operators who didn’t have council approval.

“Do we have a right to regulate this, and put these onerous requirements on people sub-letting a room,” former Bayswater councillor Brent Fleeton said at the time.

Then in 2017 Stirling also tried to curb short-term rentals amidst a storm of media stories about thugs who were hiring unhosted homes for raucous parties.

But it was blocked by the state’s planning department which had plans for an inquiry the following year. The inquiry led to the introduction last November of $5000 incentives for landlords to put properties back on the long-term rental market, and the new rules announced this week.

Under the new rules, hosted short-term accommodation won’t need planning approval and all operators will have to register with the state government.

Ultimately that will cost them $250, but a free grace period has been extended to December 1 to encourage more to sign up.

Planning minister John Carey says the new regulations bring “clarity” to councils on how short-term rental accommodation is defined and how they should be regarded in planning processes.

“Importantly, these reforms will enable local governments to commence amendments to their local planning schemes,” Mr Carey said.

“Introducing STRA as a dedicated land use will also provide transparency and certainty to communities on where short-term rental accommodation may be permitted in their neighbourhoods.”

by STEVE GRANT