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A GOVERNMENT WORKING group is to review if new regulations should be introduced for lettings website, AirBnb.
As part of the government’s rental strategy, a working group will prepare a report which will look at issues such as tenancy regulation, tax liability and the tourism dimension associated with the company.
Last year, the use of short-term lettings and AirBnb hit the headlines when An Bord Pleanála upheld a Dublin City Council (DCC) ruling that an apartment owner in Temple Bar needed to apply for planning permission if they wanted to continue to rent the property out via Airbnb.
The apartment on Crown Alley in the middle of Dublin’s busiest tourist area reportedly made €79,000 in one year.
Following the ruling, Housing Minister Simon Coveney vowed to tackle the issue of landlords renting out their properties through AirBnb.
The minister said his department would issue guidelines to local authorities, especially those in urban areas.
Letter to councils about AirBnb
The letter sent last December reminded local authorities that a property owner will now need to apply for planning permission to the local council for a material change of use of the apartment concerned if they are using it for short-term lets.
Planning Authorities are reminded of their obligations relating to planning enforcement under Part VIII of the Planning Act… It should be particularly noted that any planning enforcement action in this area should be focused on properties coming within scenario [of] … being exclusively used for commercial short-term letting purposes on a year-round basis.
Local authorities were told to investigate the matter by checking commercial website platforms where short-term lettings are advertised.
If there are suspicions a homeowner is using their property in such a way the owner should be written to and asked whether or not the property is being continually made available for short-term letting purposes. If the correct planning permission is not in place the department advises the council to take enforcement procedures.
Dublin City Council confirmed to TheJournal.ie that it received no submissions last year for a change of use for any residential property to be used for commercial use or short-term lets.
With up to 3,300 Dublin apartments listed on AirBnb last summer, TheJournal.ie asked Dublin City Council what regulations are in place on AirBnb properties.
Planning permission
The council stated there are no specific regulations relating to AirBnB, but outlined that if a person wants to use their property exclusively for short-term holiday lettings and there is no principal resident living in the property at all times, a change of use is required under planning permission.
However, when asked how many change of use requests were submitted to Dublin City Council last year for this reason, the local authority replied:
None to date to our knowledge.
When asked how many properties were under investigation for possible breach of planning rules and how many enforcement actions had been taken by the council, other than the Temple Bar case, the council said:
This information is not readily accessible.
Dublin City Council said it doesn’t distinguish between complaints alleging unauthorised short-term lettings on AirBnb and other property listings.
Secretary General of the Housing Department, John McCarthy told the Oireachtas Committee on Housing this week that in the event that there are other properties operating in a similar manner to the Temple Bar property, they need to be followed up on.
Review
“While a significant number of AirBnb properties may be advertised in any location at a particular time, what is not as clear is the extent to which some of those are being offered by people who are making their property available for a week or two when they are on holidays themselves.
“There is a big gulf between the numbers of units available in AirBnb and the numbers of units available for housing generally, because they are and continue to be people’s primary residences,” said McCarthy.
He acknowledged there are a range of issues flowing from the An Bord Pleanála case and Airbnb.
There is a commitment in the rental strategy to establish a working group to prepare a report on that by the second quarter of this year.
We will be moving forward with that very shortly.
Last year Airbnb opened a new 40,000-square-foot international headquarters in the Dublin, with the company stating that it contributed an estimated €74 million to regional and rural communities across Ireland in the last year.
According to its Home-Sharing: Empowering Regional & Rural Ireland report, in 2016 alone, 11,000 unique hosts welcomed over 650,000 guests to their homes across Ireland (including Dublin).
In the last year, 6,000 hosts in regional and rural Ireland have earned an average additional income of €2,700 per household.
Other major cities
With the government reviewing possible regulations, what route could it go down?
A number of major cities have clamped down on the use of AirBnb.
Hosts in Berlin are only permitted to rent out their property for 50% of the year, while Amsterdam imposed a limit of 60 nights a year.
The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys said the benefit of the Airbnb model is that it can bring new visitors to remote locations, and provide revenue to communities in rural Ireland.
Sinn Féin’s Eoin O’Broin said he hoped the fact the company employs over 500 employees in Ireland would not be a factor when government are considering what regulations to impose.
“My worry is that if the working group only reports back in the second quarter, we are really only looking at regulations for September, October or November. Is there any way the working group can be brought forward or the gap between the report and regulations could be sped up? It is an urgent issue in terms of supply,” O’Broin told the committee.
6,225 units listed on Airbnb
Raising the issue in the Dáil this week, he told Taoiseach Enda Kenny that while there are only 1,564 properties available for rent in Dublin, there are 6,225 units listed on Airbnb.
He asked when the minister would be introducing legislation to properly regulate this sector. Kenny said he would ask the minister to give Ó Broin more accurate details and a date on which he expects the legislation to be published.
The Sinn Féin TD suggested that a 6-8 week limit be introduced on owners who wish to let their properties on AirBnb.
If local authorities are being instructed to carry out more inspections and begin more enforcement orders against property owners he said additional resources and staff will need to be provided.
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Terrible news
@Donnacha Bhoicaire:
Indeed it is.
She was a lovely lady to chat to and a true broadcasting legend with a wonderful voice.
May She rest in peace and my condolences to those left behind to grieve her loss.
Rest in Peace.
Omg! Shocked reading this. May she rest in peace and condolences to her husband and children.
thats a very sad loss – thoughts are with the family and friends this time of year – please be respectful in the comments section and save your venting for whining about all thats wrong with RTE for another more appropriate time
@Dave Hammond: You’re the only one venting here.
@Dave Hammond: Well said.
@Dave Hammond:
Dope
She was the sound that filled our kitchen and kept us company every Saturday and Sunday. May she rest in peace.
Same age as my dad when he passed, as the years pass I realise more and more it’s young age
@RJ: so do I, I’m not far behind her…will be very much missed on the airwaves and of course by her husband, son and her wider family and friends…will miss that gravelly voice on the radio at the weekend.
Rest in Peace. Another iconic broadcaster down
@Pete Blake: Yep, she was a true legend, absolutely shocking news. RIP Marian
What a beautiful natural presenter may she rest in peace
RIP
So sad, a true professional
Rest in Peace
Very sad to hear! A fantastic broadcaster, an amazing advocate for women’s rights and an all round lovely lady..rest in peace.
Shocked
So sad to hear this. I’ve been listening her on radio since I was knee high to a grasshopper and it always felt good to hear her raspy voice, kinda like a connection to my childhood. Condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. May she rest in peace.
Sad news indeed..
Another RTE legend gone too soon. RIP Marian.
@Sue Kelly: who was the other?
@G.M Lockjoy: Gay Byrne
@G.M Lockjoy: Gerry Ryan
i loved listening to pod casts of her wonderful voice and wonderful mellow tones. she had such wonderful diction and a very natural flow in speaking,, i have lots of her shows downloaded to my ipod,, ! Thank you Marian , for the huge privilege of listening to a great broadcaster! May your wonderful spirit rest in peace,Philomena, Cork City
Oh my god, R.I.P
So sorry to hear that , did love her show
Dreadful news. Feel like I have lost a pal. Condolences to her husband and son
Shocking news RIP
May she rest in peace. I used to listen to her with my mam on the radio.
A giant of radio. And an absolute lady. This is terrible news. RIP.
That’s awful , she’s the same age as me , always liked her .R.I P.
May Marian be at rest
A very fine broadcaster. RIP.
Very sad news. Will never forget her interview with Nuala O Faolain. One of the most touching interviews I’ve ever heard. The utter devastation of knowing her time was immediately finite. Two great minds gone. RIP.
Actually kinda shocked as she was still broadcaating on radio & seemed in good health.. R.I.P
Very sad, may she rest in peace.
A true radio voice… and a great voice for women
R I P Condolences to her family
Will be so sadly missed. One of Ireland’s GREATS. RIP.
The saddest news, condolences to the family. Sunday won’t be the same without Marian
Heartbroken loved to livsen her since iam a kid and still was listening to her here in Germany every Saturday and sunday RIP Marian
RIP
Trail blazer who was the first to develop phone in radio back in the early 80s which is now the main stay of all radio stations. RIP .
A brilliant woman will be greatly missed RIP
How sad…rest in peace
So sad…she was great…R.I.P
I can’t take anymore death, absolutely shocking, loved Marian
Very sad. I’ll miss hearing her voice every weekend.
She wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I did listen if driving on weekends. RIP
So Sad to about this lovely lady,
always very encouraging when one is interviewed , to get the story out . Will miss to hear your voice on Radio.
RIP Marion
I’m in shock – loved and respected her. Listening to her 2 shows/Saturday and Sunday- Those mornings are going to be v dull. RIP Marian
R.I.P
RIP shocking news
OMG I cannot believe this sad news. May you rest in peace Marian… weekends won’t be the same without your cheerful greeting on the radio at 11am
You will be missed, many’s a Saturday and Sunday morning you kept me company, I might not always have agreed with you but one thing’s for sure you’ve been a constant in many Irish homes for many years!…
She was like the mother of the nation. I hope RTE keep her show podcasts online forever as I’m going to listen back to them one by one, especially Saturdays as most items won’t date. The nation has lost a friend and a colossus of broadcasting. RIP Marian Finucane, you will be sorely missed.
Very sad..RIP.. loved listening to her show on Radio 1.
Terrible news my condolences to John and jack happy memories from the Delvin days
R. I. P. Marian
That’s so sad,
Rest in peace Marian.
Very sad news God be good to her safe in the arms of angels R.I.P Marian
Wow, so sorry for her families loss.
So sad. Another great talent has passed away RIP.
I didn’t know Marian Finucane personally but still feel a sense of shock at the suddenness of this. An unexpected death like this reminds us all of our own mortality. At dheis Dé go raibh a hainm dilís.
Beautiful person,warm and wonderful,very sad news.RIP
Sincere condolences to her family and friends.
RIP i enjoyed her broadcasting opinions and interviews. Very skilled, patient and considerate in interviews.
Very sorry to hear this sad news. She was a great voice of irish life and will be greatly missed. RIP
Marian Finucane R.I.P.
She seemed to have a lovely way with people and got the answers without adapting the “butting in” style used by so many others on RTE. Very sad news
RIP Marian. Condolences to her family. On a personal note I’m really going to miss her on a Sunday morning.
Just can’t believe this sad news thinking of you John and Jack R. I. P. Marian gone are the good old days in Delvin always remembered Sinead Kay Reid
Loved listening to her on podcasts. Her voice and calmness will be sorely missed. A true professional. Gutted to read this. RIP
Very sad a consummate journalist
The queen of liveline rip
Long time listener to her podcasted weekend shows, very sad to hear of her passing, I had a feeling all was not well as I had not heard her voice the past couple of months, RIP Marian, you’ll be missed on the airways.
Shocked and saddened. She was only one of few in RTE who looked out for the other side of an issue….truly greatly missed.
I always liked her, had a good sense of humour and a great technique with politicians. RIP
Absolutely shocking news, she was one of the very best on the airwaves. RIP and condolences to all her poor family
R.I.P. Marian. You will be sorely missed.
Such sad news ,An excellent Journalist and lovely person , RIP ..Will be sadly missed .
What a huge loss, loved listening to her, her voice, her humour on the radio and the way she interviewed people, like listening to a friend talking. Sympathy to Marian’s husband, son and family.
Shocked reading this…may she rest in peace
Another great personality leaves our mortal shores. RIP
Really devastated by this she’ll be greatly missed on Saturday and Sunday on radio. Rip Marion
So sad to hear this. I’m have been an avid fan of Marians since her Liveline days. Always the voice of reason, always compassionate and always so well read on any given topic. Another great broadcaster lost with so few, if any, left to carry on the mantle. RIP.
Awaaa,may she rest in peace ..
R.I.P.
Terrible news she has been a constant and comforting voice throughout my life. My condolences to her family, a huge loss to the country.
Rest in Peace
Shocked she was a real friend to the end for those that she liked thoughts with her family rest in peace .
Rip but alot of other loved family members have died also today ,just a thought
Grew up listening to her or watching her on tv. What a sad loss. Condolences to her family.
So glad no negative rte comments neither the time nor the place RIP
@Colm Curran: give it time. There’s always one.
Any updates on what happened?
@thomas patrick: she died patrick
Sudden loss .Very difficult on her family
Im so sad..great broadcaster
What was the result of her libel case against Independent newspapers on the issue of her inside information on the Mespil apartments controversy in 1993?? A long time ago but somebody has to remind……
@mot leave: why does somebody have to remind…?
It was 27 years ago!! She can’t do much about it now, can she?
Id iot!!
Chin, (or should I say Jaws)
Looking at your comments over the years, and indeed your comment above, you’d know an Id iot
She’d been working with RTE since 1974, started as a continuity announcer then, 45 years.
Shocking sad news
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