Fair and sensible Tasmanian regulations are working

Airbnb has today said the Tasmanian Government’s fair and sensible regulations* for short-term rentals are achieving the twin objectives of supporting local tourism and jobs and ensuring compliance. 

Airbnb hosts have overwhelmingly embraced the new compliance process. More than 90 per cent of Airbnb business in Tasmania complied with the state’s new rules by early December to ensure it remains on the platform.

Derek Nolan, Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Australia, welcomed the fact that Airbnb hosts had overwhelmingly embraced the new rules and would continue to drive tourism growth in support of local jobs.

“We are pleased to see that more than 90 per cent of our business in Tasmania complied with the new rules by early December to ensure it remains on the platform, meaning we can continue making a strong contribution to growing tourism and jobs in this state,” he said. 

“A small percentage of hosts did not meet the deadline – however, of the listings that were removed, the vast majority – about two-thirds – recorded just two or fewer bookings over the past 12 months.

“Importantly, we are confident that the final data will reinforce what we have long said – short-term rentals make a big, critical contribution to the economy and represent a tiny fraction of the housing market. The information provided will help inform the ongoing conversation around housing affordability, which must also take into account the major roles played by massive population growth, increased student numbers and the urgent need to unlock new housing supply.

“We’ve been proud to work with the Tasmanian Government to grow local tourism and support these fair and balanced rules – as have thousands of local hosts. These rules are working as intended helping to both grow Tassie tourism and create local jobs on one hand and ensure compliance on the other.”

About two-thirds of Airbnb hosts have so far claimed an exemption, meaning they are using their primary residence for hosting or their local council has historically granted approval for them to run visitor accommodation, such as a bed and breakfast.

Moving forward, locals who want to become hosts or resume hosting will need to obtain a permit or claim an exemption to ensure their listing is compliant with local laws.

Airbnb’s efforts to help hosts comply with the new rules included measures such as a regulatory compliance workshop, as well as information packs and direct host communications.

A 2017 Deloitte Access Economics report found that Airbnb guests spent almost $60 million in Tasmania in 2015-16 alone.

Airbnb hosts can find more information about their hosting responsibilities by visiting Airbnb’s dedicated responsible hosting page for Tasmania.

*To help grow Tasmania’s tourism industry and the jobs it supports, the State Government in 2017 introduced fair, sensible and statewide regulations for short-term rentals. To help ensure compliance, additional rules came into effect last year which require booking platforms – such as Airbnb – to collect and share information with the Government on properties used for short-term rental accommodation.