The increase in short-stay accommodation - such as Airbnbs - for entire properties is continuing in Launceston with the council approving 11 applications to change use to visitor accommodation since mid-2021.
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With Tasmania's border fully reopening in just over a month, the City of Hobart has seen a significant increase in similar applications with 10 in the space of four weeks, according to the council's planning committee agendas.
Converting premises from a principle place of residence to an Airbnb - or other short-stay provider - requires a permit from council, whereas using single rooms or a smaller portion of the property does not, provided the owner is still living there.
The requirement was brought in during 2019-20, resulting in Launceston issuing 106 change of use to visitor accommodation permits, following on from 52 the year before.
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In Hobart, 38.4 per cent of short-stay accommodation premises are believed to be full property listings, according to government figures. The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute found that Hobart has the highest short-stay density in Australia, and one of the highest Airbnb densities in the world.
Housing advocates urged the government to tighten regulations to avoid adding further pressure to the rental market, but no commitment was made during the last state election. Labor promised to put an "immediate pause" on new permits for entire dwellings in areas of high rental stress.
A government spokesperson said councils had the power to apply restrictions on short-stay accommodation through their planning schemes, and that it was the government's view that further controls would not "resolve" the housing crisis.
City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said Airbnb played a part in the city's tourism market.
"The council is aware that during peak season, there can be a shortage of hotel accommodation across the city, particularly when there are major events on in Northern Tasmania," he said.
"Visitor accommodation such as Airbnb, does play a role in the sector to assist in providing alternate accommodation during those peak times."
The Tasmanian Greens believe there should be a limit on the number of whole-of-property short-stay accommodation premises in "tight rental markets".
Tenants' Union of Tasmania senior solicitor Ben Bartl said that as borders reopened, more properties were likely to be converted to Airbnb which could further hurt rental stress.
"If you want to rent out a room in your unit or house, go for it, because that's what the sharing economy is meant to be about," he said.
"What we are concerned about is Airbnb has essentially become a vehicle by which investors are buying properties, entre properties, and putting them on Airbnb."
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