Airbnb Declared Illegal in Australia

As we reported last week, Airbnb has had its business seriously impacted by the Cornoavirus pandemic as well as having had to deal with cancellation policy mess-ups and PR gaffes. Today saw another piece of news with possible further implications for the short term letting sector.

Responding to calls for greater restrictions to put an end to ‘Covid-19 Friendly Packages’, the New South Wales’ Minister for Better Regulation, Kevin Anderson stated: “There’s zero reason for someone to stay in an Airbnb.” and went on to say that “It isn’t illegal for them to advertise the property, but guests couldn’t get there without breaking the law.” Effectively outlawing Airbnb stays.

Australian hosts had been advertising their short-let properties as ideal self-isolation getaways and perfect work-from-home-hubs. This led to a backlash  and the regional government’s announcement today. With hosts in other countries around the world taking their properties off the short-term market in favour of long-term income, could this be a bigger blow than expected for the holiday-lettings giant?