Can legislation overcome the changing landscape in tourist accommodation options, or, are disruptors such as Airbnb and other holiday accommodation booking websites here to stay?
The NSW Parliament has given the green light to the state government's short-term holiday letting reforms, with the new regulations set to take effect from next year, according to a report from Ten Daily
Minister for Better Regulation, Matt Kean welcomed the decision on Wednesday, saying the reforms will bolster the state's sharing economy while cracking down on unruly behavior.
The push for better regulation in the industry comes on the back of growing problems with the sharing economy. The state government has said it is concerned platforms such as Airbnb are enabling tourist accommodation to penetrate residential neighbourhoods, thereby removing rental properties from the market and potentially escalating affordability.
"It acknowledges the huge financial contribution online booking platforms make to the NSW economy, but also takes a zero-tolerance approach to raucous guests,” Kean said.
The issue of "party houses" has also proved a problem for the industry, with instances of thousands of dollars of property damage reported in various cities where short-stay accommodation is thriving.