Airbnb and Stayz have called for regulation of short-term holiday rentals to be consistent across NSW.
Executives from the two companies, as well as the Holiday Rental Industry Association, have appeared at a parliamentary inquiry into the adequacy of regulation.
A mandatory code of conduct would solve most of the issues raised surrounding noise and amenities, HRIA’s Trevor Atherton told the inquiry on Monday.
Applying a code of conduct, which already exists, wouldn’t be a burden on homeowners or councils while a development application would be “tantamount to prohibition” because it was costly and slow, he said.
When councils received noise complaints, there needed to be communication with the holiday rental company so they could take action, he said.
Stayz regional director Anton Stanish agreed.
The website, which lists 43,000 properties across Australia, does not allow “party houses” and holds the property owner responsible for enforcing the rules, he said.
“We delist such properties,” he said.
Stayz is “seeking clear and consistent guidelines” across the state instead of harsh regulation that would force owners to sell their properties, he told the inquiry.
Airbnb executive Mike Orgill said the company also wanted consistency, but steered clear of a mandatory code of conduct.
If anyone had complaints they would soon be able to hand them straight to Airbnb through a new system the company was rolling out, he said.
“The code is designed for professional operators” but many Airbnb hosts rented out their own homes or rooms within, Mr Orgill told the inquiry.
A two-way review system of hosts and guests meant bad apples could be weeded out and guests had incentive to behave properly, lest they get the thumbs down, he said.
The inquiry is being conducted by the Legislative Assembly’s committee on environment and planning, with a report and recommendations expected later this year.
