Ireland: The Irish Government has approved the priority development of a registration system as part of the Short Term Tourist Rental Bill and the publication of the outline of the Bill.
Minister Micheál Martin, accompanied by Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly and Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht , sports and media, hailed the decision as an important step in implementing the government’s Housing for All policy.
Housing for All is described as a commitment to developing new regulatory controls to ensure homes are put to best use in areas of high housing demand. The new register will ensure that properties built for residential accommodation are used for this purpose, and Fáilte Ireland [the National Tourism Development Authority] estimates that up to 12,000 properties could return to the long-term rental market [or the residential housing market] Therefore.
As set out in the bill, a new short-term tourist rental register will be established for accommodation providers offering accommodation for up to and including 21 nights, who will need to be registered with Fáilte Ireland. Online and offline platforms advertising properties for short term rental will be required to have a valid registration number [FI] number provided by Fáilte Ireland, with authorized officers appointed to oversee compliance with the system.
Property owners who advertise their property without a valid FI registration number would be required to pay a fixed payment notice of €300 and could face a maximum fine of €5,000 if they bring cases to the District Court. Platforms found to be ad properties in violation of the registration regime could also face fines of up to €5,000 per invalid ad.
The registry is designed to:
- Provide the Department of Housing and Local Authorities with an accurate register of all short-term rental stock in Ireland
- Allowing Fáilte Ireland, for the first time, to have a comprehensive picture of tourist accommodation across the state, significantly improving their ability to promote and drive tourism investment
- Fulfill the Housing for All commitment to introduce new regulations in the area of short-term tourist rentals
According to the government, the bill will also address staffing issues faced by tourism businesses by providing housing options for tourism and hospitality workers, and provide a “level playing field” for all workers. hosting providers by ensuring transparency and visibility across the industry.
Minister Micheál Martin said: “As Minister of Tourism, I am committed to developing the tourism sector in a sustainable way. The measures announced today are an important step in reducing the availability of private residential rental units. Housing for All includes a goal of more efficient use of existing housing and we are aware that in some parts of the country an imbalance has arisen between short-term and long-term rental markets.
“We have looked at the international context and conducted significant research in this area, which has illustrated the problems caused by an imbalance in supply. These new regulatory controls ensure balanced and sustainable tourism development.
“Addressing the housing challenges will also help address the staffing issues faced by many tourism businesses, as it will provide housing options for tourism and hospitality workers in these areas. Working with the Oireachtas [the Irish National Parliament comprising two Houses of the Oireachtas – Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann]I hope the legislation will be enacted in the first quarter of 2023.
“To minimize disruption to the tourism industry and tourists, property owners operating in the area who need to apply for a change of use planning permit are permitted, for a limited period of up to six months. , to continue to offer their accommodation as a tourist. accommodation while their application is being considered. These new measures will align our regulatory approach with key tourist destinations across Europe, including Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona,” he added.
Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “We believe there is great potential for the long-term rental market in the significant number of properties currently being used for short-term rentals.
“Tourism is an important part of the Irish economy, but we need a balanced and appropriate mix of private rental accommodation and short-term rental accommodation in this country – a balance which fully reflects the housing needs of those who live here.Through this registration system offered by Fáilte Ireland, we will be able to ensure that more private rental accommodation is provided, particularly in urban areas with high housing demand.
“This registration system is another part of our national housing strategy, Housing for All, and a key piece of the puzzle. My ministry and I will continue to work with the Ministry of Tourism to expedite the implementation of these new arrangements,” he added.
Fáilte Ireland CEO Paul Kelly said: “Fáilte Ireland is working closely with our colleagues in the Department of Tourism and the Department of Housing on the development of the short-term tourist rental registration system, as set out in the government policy of housing for all. As part of this work, we have conducted detailed research on the experience of cities and countries around the world and designed a registration system that will allow landlords to register short-term rental properties quickly and easily. .
“As the national tourism development authority, Fáilte Ireland is aware of the need to balance an appropriate mix of long-term private hire and short-term hire. Fáilte Ireland will also continue to work with local authorities across the country to ensure that any housing stock that is unsuitable for private accommodation can continue to be used for tourism purposes.
“We look forward to working with the tourism industry and relevant stakeholders on the implementation of registration,” he added.
Airbnb said it “welcomes” the potential introduction of the short-term rental registry.
Derek Nolan, Head of Public Policy for Ireland at Airbnb, said: “Everyday Irish families rely on Airbnb for affordable housing and extra income, all the more vital as the cost of living continues to rise. ‘increase. Clear and simple rules are good news for everyone and will help more families share their homes to increase their income, while strengthening Irish communities.
However, while the Irish Federation of Independents [ISCF] said he also welcomed the introduction of a short-term rental register, he expressed “major concerns” for the future of the tourism industry in 2023.
Mayor Ni MhurchuISCF President, said: “We welcome the introduction of the register, and we also welcome the announcement of a six-month transitional period which will give our members the confidence to take bookings for the 2023 season. However, we are concerned that the management of planning requirements at all levels has not been fully resolved or considered.
“Any real estate business registration [approx 30k] will now require planning permission.
“We are seeking clarification for our members, many of whom have been in business for over seven years, and we will continue to negotiate with the government on their behalf over the next three pre-legislative months,” she added.
A registration system in England came closer this week after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged to introduce it, while the Scottish government decided to delay the deadline for its own licensing system.
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