The Victorian Gov Wants To Stop You Renting An Airbnb To Get Airbnboonta In

Ahh, bless the internet and the sharing economy for introducing us to magnificent services like Airbnb and Stayz, wherein you can dodge the usual hotel madness and hook yourself up with a sweet-ass pad in strange cities across the globe.

‘Course whilst the majority of souls have been using the service to find rad places to chill and use as a home base when travelling around the country or abroad, there’s a certain sub-section of Airbnbers who use rentals to jet off with a bunch of mates and get absolutely bent out of shape for a night or two.
The Victorian Government has had it up to here *holds hand about neck-height* with neighbouring residents complaining about short-term renters throwing raging keggers every single freaking weekend of the year. And as a result, they’re about to introduce new legislation that’s gonna make doing just that pretty dang tricky.
The Government is drafting new laws that will give the power to neighbours or an owners corporation to take landlords to VCAT over unruly or destructive guests staying the property on a short-term lease agreement (basically that thing you click agree to when you’re renting an Airbnb joint).
The proposed new laws would see landlords liable for up to $2,000 in damages, and could see them lose the right to lease their apartment or house out under a sort-of “three strikes and you’re out” style policy.
Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Jane Garrett stated that it was about levelling the playing field and allowing neighbours and fellow owners a say in how short-term leases affects their peace and quiet.

“We know there are some horror stories of people running up and down the halls, they’re damaging property, music all night, making people whose home is in the apartment just an unliveable existence.”

 
“Currently all that can happen under the existing law, is you go after the guests for a measly $250 and they could be anywhere in the world.”

“This is about giving neighbours redress, it’s about giving owners corporations more power and it’s ultimately about changing behaviour.”

‘Course there’s massive questions over whether or not this is overreaching, giving nosy neighbours way too much power or say in minor cases, as well as the question of how it’ll actually be enforced should it go through.

And even then, there’s no way of legally preventing, say, people scamming Airbnb hosts by demanding their money back after complaining of a phantom smell.

Praying4U, Micky B. <3

Source: ABC News.

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