Hundreds of Dublin homeowners using Airbnb to rent out their properties may face punitive action under a new initiative to clampdown on abuses of planning.
Dublin City Council is stepping up its enforcement activity on landlords who do not have the correct planning permission for the short-term lets.
The move has been welcomed by politicians and some campaigners, who say that the online service is contributing to a housing crisis in the capital.
“It has led to the removal of thousands of homes from the rental market that could be housing families,” said Labour senator Kevin Humphreys.
“Due to that we have seen hotels housing families made homeless, while homes are used for tourists. I have been inundated with stories of the disruption this activity is now causing in communities and apartment blocks.”
Under planning rules, homeowners may not use their residence as a commercial letting property. However, some Dubliners who use Airbnb to let their properties believe that a clampdown will not solve Dublin’s housing difficulties.
“I only use Airbnb to let my property out,” said Barry Sheeran, who sometimes lets out his cottage in Dublin’s Ringsend. “If Airbnb wasn’t there, I wouldn’t rent it out. It wouldn’t help solve homelessness.
“I pay my taxes on this. The people who stay in my house are usually here for business or a short holiday. If they didn’t have that option, they’d be forced to look at hotels which are full and charging top whack.”
Irish Independent