12/11/2020
Code of Conduct for short-term rental accommodation starts 18 December 2020
A new Code of Conduct for short-term rental accommodation starts on 18 December 2020 to better manage and address anti-social behaviour, amenity impacts (including in shared facilities, such as pools and gyms) and other issues experienced by neighbours and communities. The new Code has been published on the Fair Trading website.
There are new requirements under the Code for all participants including hosts, guests, letting agents and booking platforms.
The Code allows the Commissioner for Fair Trading to take disciplinary action against participants who breach the Code, including listing people who commit serious breaches on an exclusion register. People on the exclusion register will be banned from participating in the short-term rental accommodation industry for five years.
There are more changes to come with planning controls and a premises register currently under development. Stay subscribed to Property Matters to receive updates.
The Code of Conduct and more information on the regulatory framework are available on the NSW Fair Trading website.
Hosts and letting agents need to be aware that COVID-19 Public Health Orders affect holiday rentals and holiday homes by imposing limitations on the number of people who can be on the premises. Short-term rental accommodation providers are required to ensure the maximum number does not exceed 20 people. The NSW Government encourages businesses and organisations to complete a COVID-19 Safety Plan where appropriate, even if there is no requirement under the Public Health Order to do so.
For information on completing a COVID-19 Safety Plan please visit the NSW Government website.