Sydney Mulls Further Airbnb Restrictions

The City of Sydney is considering implementing new, stricter regulations on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb. Lord Mayor Clover Moore has indicated the council’s intention to address the impact of short-term letting on housing affordability and community liveability within its jurisdiction.

Current New South Wales state legislation imposes a 180-day cap on non-hosted short-term rentals across the state. This means properties not occupied by the host can be rented out for short stays for a maximum of 180 days per year. The City of Sydney is advocating for the authority to establish more restrictive limits within its local government area.

Among the proposed changes being discussed is a potential reduction in the annual cap for short-term rental nights, with a 60-day cap being considered. Additionally, the council is exploring options to empower strata bodies with the ability to completely ban short-term rentals within their respective buildings.

These measures are driven by concerns over the long-term liveability of residential communities in Sydney. The council points to issues such as properties being removed from the long-term rental market, increasing housing costs, and complaints from residents regarding noise, rubbish, and safety associated with short-term rental properties. The aim is to return more properties to the long-term rental market to help alleviate the housing crisis and improve affordability for permanent residents, while balancing the needs of the tourism industry.

Key Points
* Existing New South Wales state cap for non-hosted short-term rentals: 180 days per year.
* Proposed new cap for City of Sydney (under consideration): 60 days per year.

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