Changes for short-term rental accommodation register before 1 November 2021
Do you have short-term rental accommodation (STRA) properties? You need to register before 1 November 2021 to let out your property.
What’s happening?
Residential STRA properties must be registered on the NSW Government short-term rental accommodation (STRA) register before 1 November 2021.
This applies to residential accommodation such as houses, units and terraces. It does not apply to caravans, tents, moveable dwellings, eco-tourist facilities and alpine resorts.
The local government area of Byron Shire has until 31 January 2022 for STRA properties to be registered.
The new STRA planning policy starting on 1 November brings new obligations for booking platforms, hosts, letting agents and guests. This includes limits on the number of days a non-hosted STRA property can be let per year and new fire and safety requirements.
Note: non-hosted STRA means short-term rental accommodation provided where the host does not reside on the premises during the provision of the accommodation.
It will be an offence for hosts to let their properties after 1 November if they are not registered before they are let out. Penalties apply.
These new laws are part of the STRA regulatory framework which includes the mandatory Code of Conduct for the Short-term Rental Accommodation Industry (the code) that started in December 2020. The Code of Conduct was introduced to better manage and address anti-social behaviour, impacts to amenity and other issues experienced by neighbours and communities.
What do hosts need to do?
To comply with the obligations:
- Hosts must register their property using their Service NSW login. The property will need to be registered before it is rented after 1 November.
- Completed STRA registrations will be issued with a STRA Property ID number (STRA-PID-XXXX) which must be displayed on an online property listing.
- Check whether there are any limits on the number of days per year allowed for STRA in the relevant council area and comply with these requirements. Note: this only applies to non-hosted properties.
- Once the property is registered, the number of days the property is booked can be manually recorded.
- Comply with the new fire and safety requirements by 1 March 2022 – STRA properties must include smoke alarms, exit signs, fire-blanket, fire-extinguisher and an evacuation plan.
- Ensure they are complying with their responsibilities under the Code of Conduct.
Need more help?
Contact us for a discussion today.
+61 2 8011 4699
