There's been much talk about Airbnb, or rather its true term, "STR or Short Term Rental." What drives many to tap into STR? The reasons are endless, but at the end of the day, it's completely up to an owner what they do with their property; it's not for the Council nor the State to weigh in! Responsible hosts provide a service, implement safety measures, work with neighbours and the community, and run a small business to support themselves and their families in a climate of rising living costs. And what of those who simply rent out a room to students and overseas visitors? Is it so wrong to want some company and earn a little extra cash, all above board and legal?
The State is in financial trouble, so doubling land tax and talk of a 'bed tax' is an easy, quick financial fix for them. Are there issues in some STRs? Absolutely! Frankly, there are property owners all over the country who couldn't care less about their neighbors and their right to quiet enjoyment, and the majority of them are renting their properties out permanently. "Minut" noise control monitors are key; in fact, they've saved many a host accused of allowing all-night raves in their tiny apartments when there was no party, but they also provide proof and enable Airbnb to have the unruly guest evicted within hours. Sadly, with a lack of rental reforms, you could be living next to a rogue, permanent renter for months before anything is done, if at all; and that's if the owner could be bothered. The fight at VCAT to evict them is costly and stressful. One complaint about an Airbnb guest with evidence, and they can be legally removed within hours! Some simply put their place on STR to take a secondment or posting overseas or interstate, needing the flexibility of having a home to come to when they return. Some can't accommodate visitors and simply want the flexibility to provide accommodation for family visiting. Or doing friends a favor visiting our vibrant community for live music, car shows, the Palais, triathlons, events at MSAC, Pride, and St Kilda festival. Or do we want to keep hosting events but not provide suitable accommodation for out-of-towners? Look around St Kilda; with the exception of probably Quest Apartments, there isn't really much suitable for families, or those with disabilities, or special dietary needs, requiring a kitchen or kitchenette. Are there rogue owners out there? Absolutely! Have you lived next to a housing association placing a 'client' next door to you, only to live with the drug dealing, AC/DC blaring 24/7, and a tirade of verbal abuse, all of which falls on deaf ears until your mental health is so affected, you're pleading with the police to show up so you can get back into your property. Does it happen all the time? NO. Is it miserable being a neighbor? YES! What about real estate agents poorly screening tenants and 'letting agents' who take zero responsibility for the welfare of others and wipe their hands when it gets all too hard. The fact is that criminal behavior and noise complaints are a police matter, and it can happen anywhere and anytime. It is a sad situation when you can't live in peace, but STR isn't the problem, and they're a minority. We live in a busy, vibrant beachside suburb. It's a great place to visit.
Council Meeting - August 2023 - Airbnb / Short Term Lets
I’ve been a Superhost for almost 10 years, meaning I’m a 5-star host, and I offer Family-Friendly Accommodation to guests from all walks of life. I’ve provided a roof over the heads of hundreds of families who are visiting St Kilda for appointments at the Royal Children's Hospital, attending football matches, shows at the Palais, Pride, St Kilda Festival, Triathlons, and Medical staff during COVID for those who couldn’t go home, and I’m also an emergency accommodation for those affected by floods and fires. I am exactly who most hosts are, just someone with an investment property who has been so scorned by the permanent rental system, I’ll never list it permanently again. With a non-Australian husband and daughter, the flexibility this offers me ensures our overseas family have somewhere to stay for long periods when we simply don’t have the room to accommodate them in my own home. I’ve hosted many families calling Australia their new home, and I’m proud that ALL eventually settled Bayside. Ironically, I had a guest leave a week early in December because of a permanent renter across the road partying all weekend and police not bothering to show up! Airbnb is much better; you can evict them immediately if they cause a problem!
In 10 years, I’ve had one complaint from a neighbor in my apartment block, and it was a subtle nudge because two young boys with terrible jetlag were jumping off the bunk bed; that was about six years ago.
The simple fact is short term rentals aren’t the problem, humans who lack respect for anyone’s right to a quiet living is the issue and you’ll get that whether you live next to a full time renter, an owner, or I’m sure you’re aware of the disgraceful way property owners were treated by some of the housing authorities who didn’t think twice about who they were placing and where, some with drug addictions, drug dealing or mental health issues putting others in danger.
I commend the report pulled together and point out that 153 complaints over 7 years is minimal and even more confusing that 44 came in one go, coincidentally after it was raised in a Council meeting a couple of months ago! Even more worrying is that many were anonymous! So as a data geek myself I’m going to question the credibility of this information.
The list of complaints which is noise, anti-social behavior, bins left out, tossing cigarettes, New Year’s Eve Parties, excessively loud on balconies (I mean have you heard the abandoned Covid dogs howling all day on balconies in St Kilda) is not limited to short term stays. It’s our neighborhood every day of the week!
My request is that Council do not weigh into getting involved in Short Term Rentals at all, I want my rubbish collected on time, I want trees planted and maintained, I want the Grey Street footpath to be fixed, I want better lighting in are dark alley ways. That’s what I want my Council to look at, not get involved in something that affects less than 1% of the CoPP. Let STR’s be regulated but leave it to the State! If Council weigh in and we start paying more than the eye watering rates we already fork out, something else will have to give in the community.
If Council make it difficult or costly, think about my neighbor who simply rents out a room to young students travelling to Australia for some extra cash and much needed company after being left widowed.
Claire, local resident of Port Phillip
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Some sound advice, if you're a host, or you live next to an unruly renter/owner, or you're having a problem with an STR, install a Minut noise monitor, its all the evidence you need to act accordingly! Change out your Body Corporate, if they can't instill some basic rules in your block that can be acted upon, they aren't doing their job. These have been a life-saver for many! Minut - Protect your home, rental property, airbnb and short-term rental.
Photo by Chris Bemmerl on Unsplash
