Option for Airbnb regulation

Hi Jimmy,

Just read your article about ‘options’ for handling Airbnb in the SMH, and I’m wondering why you left out the most obvious and in my opinion best option? 

Currently councils already deal with short term rental by offering and enforcing B&B, Hostel, Hotel etc licences.  What should happen is that they simply add another licence for private short term rental and collect a licence fee from anyone who rents property for less than 3 month terms.  This would allow for the council to inspect every property for fire/ safety / capacity issues.  They would also be the arbiter for disputes.  They would decide if the location for any short term rental is appropriate. 

The executive committee of strata boards are not willing or able to take on the task of presiding over short term rentals.  The number of short term rental properties should be reduced though this Council owned assessment process.  Other residents would need to show proof of breaking the short term rental licence rules to for the Council to act on ending the licence.  Very strange to me that this option has not been suggested.