The number of Airbnb listings in the Glamorgan Spring Bay local government area equates to 40 per cent of its rental stock, according to new research from the University of Tasmania.
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UTAS’ Institute for the Study of Social Change will release its latest Tasmanian Housing Update on Thursday.
The report finds that the Glamorgan Spring Bay LGA accounts for 8 per cent of the 4459 Airbnb listings in the state.
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As Southern Tasmania descended into a housing crisis, the booming short-stay accommodation sector expanded by 162 per cent in the two years to June 2018.
In the lead-up to the urgent housing summit called by Premier Will Hodgman in March, the institute released a directions paper in which it speculated that the short-stay accommodation sector would not have a significant impact on housing outcomes in regional and rural areas.
This was, in part, due to the fact that most listed properties in these parts of the state tended to be shacks and holiday homes, rather than permanent residences.
But, in its upcoming housing update, the institute will argue that some popular holiday destinations in Tasmania are, too, experiencing acute rental shortages.
And Glamorgan Spring Bay is not the only East Coast LGA with Airbnb issues.
In Break O’Day, 17 per cent of rental stock is taken up by Airbnb listings.
Meanwhile, Hobart listings represent 28 per cent of total state listings, with 8 per cent of its rental stock being Airbnb properties.
A Legislative Council inquiry into short-stay accommodation in Tasmania is currently in the consultation phase, with the time for public submissions having expired.
Tenants’ Union of Tasmania solicitor Ben Bartl said there was “no doubt” an unregulated short-stay accommodation market had increased rents and lowered rental supply in Tasmania.
Housing Minister Roger Jaensch last week announced a crackdown on non-compliant Airbnb operators in a bid to ensure “everyone is playing by the rules”.