WA’s council lobby supports a registration scheme for AirBnB apartments and other short stay accommodation.

WA Local Government Association (WALGA) President Cr Lynne Craigie has welcomed the state’s Economics and Industry Standing Committee’s report into Short-Term Rentals (PDF).

The report calls for a state-wide registration scheme, a framework review with standardised definitions, shared data from online providers, and a requirement for accommodation providers to cite their registration number in any promotional material.

Cr Craigie said the measured approach is in keeping with WALGA’s advocacy, which aims to ensure flexibility is maintained according to the needs of each area.

“A State-wide registration process will greatly assist Local Governments in their work identifying and managing compliance of short-term accommodation premises,” Cr Craigie said.

“Managing this ever-evolving new sector requires a whole of government response, but the Committee has recognised it can impact each community quite differently, and has said they are willing to maintain local conditions and requirements.

“This approach also aligns with international policy trends in the short-stay accommodation market.

“The current system has not been updated since 2009 and has proved ineffective in addressing the new trends we are seeing in the accommodation market.

“We are pleased that recommendations of the report seek to review the current framework and provide greater guidance to Local Governments about ways to appropriately regulate short-term rentals, and we look forward to working together with the State on these important reforms.”