Brisbane City Council is rolling out a rate hike of up to 50 per cent for Airbnbs and other short-term accommodation properties.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says residents will be asked to dob in neighbours they believe are operating as short-term accomodation. 

A letter will be sent with upcoming rates bills asking for information on local properties that are offered platforms such as Airbnb, Bookings.com, and Stayz.

“I'd be happy if this new rating category didn't raise a single dollar,” Cr Schrinner said this week.

“Brisbane currently has a severe housing shortage because not enough homes are being built to meet demand.

“We want this new rating category to convince owners to return properties to the long-term rental market so they can be permanent homes.”

Owners of short-term rentals are being encouraged to register on a council website.

The council's finance spokesperson, Cr Fiona Cunningham, says it will be difficult to identify all of the eligible properties.

“We would prefer if people self-nominate, which occurs already when properties shift from being owner-occupied to rented,” Cr Cunningham said.

“However, through technology that's available, Council can identify properties that have been listed on short-term accommodation websites for 60 days.

“This is about trying to push properties back into the private rental market while ensuring those that continue to be used on a short-term basis pay their fair share.”

The rates hike will apply to properties where the entire home has been offered, available, or used as short-term accommodation for more than 60 days per year. Owners who rent out a single room are excluded.

The 50 per cent increase means the owner of a typical Brisbane home that is used for short-term rentals will pay about $985 extra each year.

Brisbane's rental vacancy rate was at just 1 per cent in August.