Recently, a 19-year-old African-American girl died in a tall building with many short-rented houses in Airbnb, the Times reported. Governor Andrews says he is open to tightening regulations on short-term rental housing.
Laa Chol died in Eq Tower, A`Beckett Street, and authorities are investigating the murder.
In May, Fairfax Media`s Financial Review of Australia reported that in many of the recently completed buildings, many investors rented their apartments through Airbnb or other short-term rental sites.
Airbnb also admitted that the death occurred in short-rented apartments rented through the platform.
And when Governor Andrews of Victoria was asked whether the case was related to the antisocial behavior surrounding the Airbnb short rental house, he told ABC Radio host Jon Faine: "of course we will look at what needs to be done from a regulatory perspective," he told the ABC Radio host, "We will certainly look at what needs to be done from a regulatory point of view." I am open to it. " He also said consumer affairs director Marlene Kairouz is already doing some work.
Airbnb is very popular in Melbourne. Melbourne ranked among the world`s top 20 short-term rental homes last year, according to Inside Airbnb, which intercepts data from Airbnb. At the end of 2017, Melbourne had 11,999 short-term rental housing units available for rental.
In its last election, Labour promised to protect homeowners from out-of-control short-rent parties.
In 2016, the then head of Consumer Affairs, Jane Garrett, promised to implement a new law to reduce the misconduct and losses of tenants of some short-term rental homes.
Under the reform of the owners` committee bill, the state planning office will be able to pay 2000 yuan in damages to neighbors affected by out-of-control gatherings. In the event of repeated violations, the state civil and administrative tribunal would have the power to forbid the use of apartments for short-term rentals such as Airbnb.
Although government`s short-term accommodation Act was introduced into Parliament two years ago, it has not become a formal law.
Kairouz said the government had already prepared a tougher bill, but was held back by Unionparty.
Andrews government hopes to return the bill to parliament in less than two months before November`s general election.
Fiona Healy, a resident of St Kilda, is one of those severely affected by short-term rental housing.
Her Robe Street neighborhood has a two-bedroom apartment in which owners rent each bedroom separately (not through Airbnb but through a Facebook group called Fairy Floss Real Estate).
Healy said: "one of the bedrooms is 320 yuan a week, one is 300 yuan a week." The living room was changed to a bedroom, which meant that it was rented out at a similar price. "generally speaking, the rent for this apartment is 580 yuan a week, but now the owner can receive nearly 1000 yuan a week."
Healy moved in last year, and the nearby apartment was rented to regular party backpackers. She pointed out that the backpacker party had been a problem for four years, but the owners` committee could not stop the apartment from being used for short-term rentals.
Krystyna Kynst, another St Kilda resident, lives in a less problematic apartment block. "there are seven apartments, three of which are always on Airbnb."
The owners of these houses, however, are good enough to make sure their houses are not used as clubhouses.
Although the guests in these apartments are very quiet and friendly, visitors here and there have destroyed the atmosphere of the residential community.
In the early days of Airbnb, Kynst rented out one of his bedrooms. "it felt good at the time, and some very cute people came over, but today, the whole feeling has changed."
The nature of the apartment-sharing economy has changed and is beginning to seriously affect their communities, Kynst said.
"I don`t hate my neighbors. It`s good for them to make money, but is it really good for the community?"
The Airbnb says they want the bill introduced two years ago to pass.
"the government bill will target those who repeatedly violate the rules and ensure that the majority of those who comply with the rules will not be punished."
