Senator Ollie Crowe has this week called for regulations to restrict the capacity of short-term rentals.
Regulations are necessary, according to Senator Crowe, who says a house is being rented in Bohermore, which is "attracting a lot of stag and hen groups," according to the Senator.
“The house has been the subject of all night parties regularly in recent months and this has naturally caused problems for the neighbours in both Bohermore and Forster Court. It has been necessary for both gardaí and the Fire Services to call to the property in recent weeks.
'Unfair'
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“Having contacted Airbnb on this matter and outlined the upset it was causing the community, Airbnb made the decision to suspend this property off the platform and cancel all future bookings which I do think they deserve credit for.”
Senator Crowe [pictured above] has discussed the issue with Minister Darragh O’Brien.“It is not fair for houses in residential areas that they should be subject to properties being rented short term for anywhere close to those sort of numbers as the property in Bohermore was,” he adds.
“I have raised with Minister Darragh O’Brien and requested limiting such short term rental properties to a maximum of eight people. I am confident regulations doing this will be introduced in the coming months.”
Stronger enforcement
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There is a need for a more co-ordinated approach with Senator Crowe demanding stronger enforcement.
“Government departments need to work cross-departmentally on this and we also need to provide additional staff to local authorities so that they can better enforce the existing regulations and the new regulations to come,” he adds.
“Obviously there is substantial money to be made in short term lettings particularly in areas like Galway city and it is essential Government acts to limit the number of such properties.
“This will assist in challenges facing us in terms of housing and will also provide a greater quality of life for residents of communities by ensuring when short term lettings are happening, there is strict controls in terms of the number of people who can stay in such properties.”
