Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien has reminded homeowners that legal action can be taken against them if they do not have adequate permission to rent their homes out on Airbnb.
It comes after the Irish Mirror exclusively revealed that there are eight times more homes available for short-term lease than there are for long-term tenancies.
An analysis of Airbnb showed there were more than 8,100 full properties - suitable for families - around the country. There were only 1,175 for long-term rental on the top property website Daft.
READ MORE: Eight times more family homes on Airbnb compared with long term rental market
It comes just days after homelessness figures hit record highs, with 12,259 people recorded as living in emergency accommodation in April.
Minister O’Brien told the Irish Mirror that homes currently being used as short-term lets need to be brought back onto the rental market.
He noted that while the Government has agreed to crack down on short-term lets, the process is currently on pause.
“The Government recognises the need to bring homes currently being used for short-term letting purposes back into the long term rental market,” he said.
“In Housing for All, we committed to bringing forward revised regulatory controls which would require the registration of short term and holiday lets with Failte Ireland.
“As we know, this is not an issue unique to Ireland and we committed to basing the new registration system on best international practice, ensuring homes are returned to the long-term market where appropriate and balancing the needs of the tourism sector.
“On 7 December 2022, the Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and the priority drafting of the Bill which provides for the establishment of a new registration system for short-term lettings to be operated by Fáilte Ireland.
On March 22, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (DTCAGSM) received a communication from the EU Commission indicating its intention to extend that standstill period by a further 9 months until 22nd December 2023 in order to further consider the proposals.
“DTCAGSM is now engaging with stakeholders on the next steps to be taken.”
Minister O’Brien stated that regulations are currently in place that mean that short-term lets in Rent Pressure Zones must receive planning permission.
He added: “Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of these regulations and can take legal action if a property does not have the required permission or where terms of the permission have not been met.”
Elsewhere, Minister O’Brien was quizzed about the latest homelessness figures at an event in Fingal, north Dublin.
He said that the Government managed to prevent 1,500 people from entering homelessness in the first quarter of 2023.
Fundamentally, the way we deal with this is through supply. Thankfully, we're still creating new tenancies.
“We're building more social homes now than ever. I work with the housing NGOs on a daily basis. I chair the National Homeless Action Committee.
“It is my number one priority to ensure that those who don't have a home to live in would have a permanent home to live in.
“We aren't making progress in that space. It is difficult, yes. And there are many reasons why people enter into homelessness.”
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