(Byron Bay), Byron Bay, New State, renovates Airbnb accommodation (Photo of the Daily Telegraph)
The new Byron Bay Parliament (Bryon Bay Council) has introduced new rules to crack down on short-term rentals and people will be fined A $6000 if they rent their homes through the Airbnb platform without approval.
According to the Daily Telegraph, residents who rent a second home as a holiday home without permission are liable to huge fines under a new regulation issued Friday by the Byron Bay Congress in the new state.
Byron County Mayor Richardson (Simon Richardson) said the new rules aim to contain local housing costs. Because Byron County is a popular tourist destination, many owners have found the opportunity to make money and use their property as a short-term vacation rental home. In some cases, this may cost local residents.
Owners must obtain parliamentary permission if they plan to use their property for travel purposes, or individual owners will face a $3000 fine and business owners will face a $6000 fine.
About 17.6 percent of properties in Byron County are registered on online platforms as vacation rental homes, Richardson said. Australia`s national share, by contrast, is only 0.2%, compared with 1.7% in Sydney.
