‘This is a tourist county’ - Calls for Airbnb owners in Wexford to be allowed ‘do what they want’ with second properties

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Efforts to crack down on Airbnb owners and free up more housing stock across the county are being met with resistance by politicians in Co Wexford with many believing allowances should be made in what is a “tourist county”.

From December 31, it will be illegal to operate short-term accommodation – classified as the letting of accommodation for up to 21 nights at a time – within Ireland unless the property is registered with Fáilte Ireland.

Those currently letting their properties on a short-term basis must apply for planning permission with Wexford County Council (WCC) or planning retention if the property has been rented short-term for more than seven years.

Ahead of these changes, councillors in the Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District (GKMD) have made a case for Airbnb owners in Co Wexford, particularly those with properties in coastal areas, to be given some leeway.

“This is a tourist county, it’s going to be a big issue for people here and will have a knock-on effect on the industry,” said Councillor Paddy Kavanagh at the June meeting of the GKMD. “It’s going to be very hard for our planning department to judge on this.”

Explaining that WCC was bound by national policy, senior planner Diarmuid Heuston said his team would make every effort to be “as flexible as we can”.

“We have to remember that we’re in a housing crisis,” he said. “Some people will be caught out, particularly those who are renting Airbnb’s in housing estates; those properties should be long-term lets

“However, properties like thatched cottages which may not be suitable for round-year living could work for Airbnb.”

But, according to Cllr Oliver Walsh, this comes with a caveat.

“In terms of thatched cottages, if you rent one out as an Airbnb you won’t get the grant for thatching it,” he said.

And there will be additional costs for those asked to make properties suitable for year-round living according to Cllr Kavanagh.

“A lot of coastal accommodation in the county is only fit for summer living, it’s not insulated, there’s no heating in it,” he said. “Will people have to upgrade their properties if they’re forced into longer-term letting?”

Again, Mr Heuston said WCC was bound by national guidelines.

“We will try to be as fair as possible but we will have to follow the rules. People will have the right to appeal. Anyone applying for retention should come to us, we will assist them, give them advice, and help them through the system.”

Those who chose to ignore the new guidelines will be found in breach of planning regulations by WCC and, for Fine Gael councillor Anthony Donohue, this did not sit well.

“If someone has worked hard enough to own a second property I don’t think they should be told what to do,” he said. “The government is twisting people’s arms to help it with the housing crisis. You should be allowed to do whatever you want with your second property.”