Melbourne, Australia Airbnb Rules & Regulations
Last updated on: 14th August, 2024
Last updated on: 14th August, 2024
In response to the growing concerns surrounding housing affordability and availability, the City of Melbourne has initiated regulatory changes aimed at curtailing short-term rentals, particularly those listed on platforms like Airbnb. This crackdown aligns with a broader global trend observed in major cities facing similar housing crises.
Key components of the new regulations include:
Annual Registration Fee: Short-term rental hosts will be required to pay an annual registration fee, proposed to be around $350, to legally operate their listings.
Days Cap: A limit on how many days a property can be rented on a short-stay basis is being discussed. Although the specific cap is still under consideration, suggestions have included a range of 180 nights per year, allowing some flexibility but significantly reducing the potential for short-term rental exploitation.
Minimum Stay Requirement: There are proposals for establishing a minimum stay period of 30 days, similar to regulations recently implemented in places like New York City. This aims to deter investors from converting properties into short-term rentals, favoring long-term residential use instead.
The intention behind these regulations is to mitigate the housing crisis in Melbourne, where the vacancy rate is critically low at 0.8%, and there is a substantial shortfall of affordable housing units. The regulation changes are designed to free up housing stock for local residents who are increasingly struggling to find long-term rental options amidst rising prices and demand.
As these measures are implemented, they underscore the city's commitment to addressing the dual challenge of maintaining a vibrant tourism economy while ensuring equitable housing access for its residents. The City of Melbourne's approach to short-term rental regulation highlights the delicate balance required to navigate the complexities of modern urban living.