Management rights body engages big guns to fight new Airbnb tax
An accommodation group is looking to join forces with Expedia to fight NSW government plans for a cap on Sydney’s short-term holidays lets.
The Australian Resident Accommodation Managers Association, the peak industry body representing those involved in management rights, has labelled plans to limit the city’s short-term rentals and allow strata bodies to ban Airbnb as a “retrograde step”.
The group claims the limits will result in financial hardship for many of its members and says moves to involve Expedia in the fight have been met with a positive response from the bookings giant.
Ironically, other industry bodies including the Accommodation Association of Australia and Tourism Accommodation Australia have criticised the proposals for not going far enough in regulating Airbnb-style short lets.
“ARAMA strongly believes this is a retrograde step within the industry”, said CEO Trevor Rawnsley.
“While the details are still on the light side and the regulations are still being drafted, there is much speculation that the news could damage the management rights Industry in NSW and could ultimately spread Australia wide.
“As such, I have personally been working with ARAMA’s political strategists and lawyers on an appropriate response to these proposed changes.”
The contentious new rules, to be brought in by the Berejiklian government over the next few months, are described by better regulations minister Matt Kean as the “toughest laws in the world to crack down on bad behaviour” in the short-term letting industry.
Mr Rawnsley says the group will look to re-work them with the help of a coalition of interested parties, including Stayz and Expedia.
Also on his list of potential lobbying partners are The Property Council of Australia, Tourism NSW, the Strata Community Association, real estate franchise groups and property investors and owners.
“The common aim of the coalition is to get the NSW proposals taken back to the drawing board by creating enough concern within government that they need more review,” said Mr Rawnsley.
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Sound’s like ARAMA is in bed with Expedia. If not ARAMA the CEO must be as Expedia own’s Stays. Say’s it all.
Why would they not like having a cap on their quasi motels. As far as hard ship for unit holders. Look at your investment strategy. Go the back door and get burnt.