‘There are more homes available on Airbnb than for people to rent’ –calls for stricter regulation in Dublin
A south Dublin councillor has called for stricter regulations on Airbnbs and other short-term lets of full, private homes after he noted that that only one such property had applied for planning permission in the county since 2019.
Clondalkin councillor Darragh Adelaide raised a motion this week at a South Dublin County Council (SDCC) meeting, calling on planning enforcement to issue warning letters to such properties listed on websites like Airbnb.
“Younger people in my constituency are frustrated – you look on Daft.ie and might see very few homes available to rent but you go on AirBnb and there are loads,” he told the Irish Independent.
“I found at least 200 entire homes available on Airbnb alone for short term letting – why is it that only one applied for planning permission? This is why there are fewer and fewer homes for people living in the area to live in.”
Short-term letting refers to the renting out of a house or apartment (or part of it) for under 14 days, while homesharing is the letting of a room in a person’s entire private home.
Currently, homesharing is exempt from the planning requirements – an entire private residence can be let on a short-term basis for up to 90 days.
Once the 90 days are exceeded, a change-of-use planning permission is required – a property owner would need to complete a Form 15 with the relevant local authority to avail an exemption.
Earlier this year, SDCC management told Cllr Adelaide that they have received only one application for planning permission since 2019. They received two Form 15 notifications – one in 2022 and one in 2023.
The councillor said that young people in his constituency were growing concerned about the lack of homes available to them locally.
“Landlords can make a lot more money renting to tourists, so it’s pulling a lot of homes out of the rental market when we actually need more,” said Cllr Adelaide.
“The unregulated way the state deals with short-term lets enables profiteering – landlords are going to make much more money renting out to tourists than to people who live and work in our local areas.”
A spokesperson from Airbnb said that it investigates and takes action like deactivating listings if a property is found to be in breach of local rules.
"We have long called for the introduction of proportional short-term letting rules, including a host register, that protects the families, communities, and businesses that depend on tourism,” said the spokesperson.
“We will continue to work with the Government as it progresses the new short term letting rules”while giving local authorities the information they need to enforce local rules.”
SDCC’s Director of Community Eoin Burke said the Planning and Development Act 2024 will introduce more regulations for short-term lettings including an online registration system and newer penalties.
“The council recognises the challenge and balancing act needed on this issue – we need to balance housing and tourism needs,” said Mr Burke.
“The new plan will include the criteria and policy that the enforcement team can refer to, to decide whether to grant or not grant permission.”
The council agreed on the motion, and called for the local authority to be more proactive about regulating short-term lets.