Co Wexford Airbnb owners discuss ‘devastating’ regulation changes

More than 50 small business owners from around the south east met in the Horse and Hound Hotel in Ballinaboola, to share their concerns that new legislation to regulate short term rental accommodation could devastate tourism in the region.

The meeting was organised by Lynnie O’Connell from Foulksmills, and Susan Devane from Campile who are volunteer Community Leaders for Airbnb hosts, and part of a nationwide organisation representing the views of small individual tourism operators and home-sharers.

Susan said the legislation – which some officials claim will return 10,700 properties to the long term rental market – is being pushed by Government as a solution to the housing crisis, but expressed her concern that this is a false statistic, and that the contribution of Airbnb hosting to individual family incomes, as well as to the regional economy is being overlooked.

“The majority of properties listed on platforms such as Airbnb are unsuitable for long term rental for a variety of factors: often what is described as an ‘entire unit’ is an annex in someone’s home; many are not set up for year-round occupation due to their remote location, and some because the facilities are not suitable. Renting out available beds makes good use of accommodation which would otherwise lie idle.

“Short term rentals are not solely for tourists and are part of a healthy housing market. Airbnb suits contract workers, relocating families, and digital nomads as well,” Lynnie explains.

All stakeholders agree a simple and inexpensive registration of short term rentals, as required by the EU, is a good idea. However, it’s the moving of the goalposts to require all properties, some over 125 years old, to comply with modern planning regulations, that makes the process anything but ‘simple and inexpensive’, said Susan.

Of all the TDs, ministers, and county councillors from the south east region invited to attend, it was Deputy Verona Murphy and Senator Malcolm Byrne who took time out of their busy schedules to attend, to listen to concerns and answer questions from the floor, Susan added.

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