Hosting in my apartment block?

[Julie272]

Hi, I own an apartment in Sydney, it is currently rented to a tenant with an expired lease. I have been travelling lately and useing Air bnb, with I feel is wonderful. Are there any restrictions placed on hosting in apartment blocks in Sydney?

[Basil1]

Hi Julie

I think you can host. If you have any more doubts on the matter, you can call to below Airbnb number at Australia:

Australia

+61 2 8520 3333

Regards

Basil

[David126]

Intrigued how you could make such a comment on the limited information given, I have no clue if it is possible or not.

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

Read your lease...that will tell you what you need to know.

[Linda108]

@Julie272  As the owner of an apartment, you must have rules about what can happen under the rules.  As indicated by others, this forum would not be a reliable source of information.  Also, I urge you to become involved with the Host Club in Sydney as there will be very knowledgeable hosts available to you.  Go to Host Clubs in Community Center.  Good Luck

[David262]

Julie assuming you are in a strata block (and not an old community title building), you need to speak to council: generally it is local zoning laws that prohibit or permit different types of property usage. (You can also look at your last rates notice, it should contain the zoning information for your property. Then look up on council's website to see what activities can and can't be done in your particular zone.)

As a general rule though, most councils in the Sydney area do not allow short term stays in residential zones, but there are working groups looking at change, as the wording is often confusing and definitions are more aligned to old world style accomodation models (not the new world of Airbnb sharing) - so councils tend not to get involved unless a neighbour complains. 

[Louise0]

Private Room hosting is fine.  Entire House is a different issue.

Check the zoning.  If it's zone R2 residential, and isn't situated in the Pittwater council area, chances are short term accommodation is a prohibited usage.  Having said that, councils aren't prosecuting at the moment and prior attempts at prosecution have been largely unsuccessful. However, even if the provision of short term accommodation is a permitted usage, then you still have to pass the hurdle of the building's by-laws.  There was a Victorian case recently that ruled that executive committees can't prohibit this type of usage, but that's not something on which you can reasonably rely in NSW.

My advice would be to be upfront and transparent about your proposed activities and discuss them with the EC BEFORE you start hosting.   Show some tightly drafted house rules with an emphasis on maximum guest numbers and permitted activities and have a clear plan on how you intend to communicate and enforce them.  

[Roberto174]

Hi Julie, some rules apply when listing a property on Airbnb. I could help you with some doubts. If you'd like to chat, you can e-mail me at [email address removed] and more than happy to help you.

Cheers,

Roberto