Calls are being made in Clare for a tighter regulation of AirBnB to ensure its hosts are abiding by COVID rules.
It’s after a Clare FM investigation revealed that a signfiicant portion of property owners contacted by the station were wiilling to rent out their properties without asking if the current regulations were being breached.
As part of this investigation, an AirBnB user account setup by Clare FM asked the owners of over two dozen AirBnB properties in Clare and other nearby counties if they would accept a weekend stay at the end of February.
The enquiries made no reference as to why the accommodation was sought, or where our fake customer was based, but 60% of respondants either said they weren’t taking bookings, or asked if we were following COVID guidelines
However, the remaining 40% were happy to take our booking.
The investigation follows claims by Cork Senator Tim Lombard that AirBnb properties are being used for parties and drinking binges during lockdown across Ireland and the UK.
He believes the area isn’t properly regulated.
A West Clare Councillor insists that companies like Air BnB have a responsibilty to ensure their platform isn’t being used to host illegal activities.
While AirBnB stresses that it is a platform, and that it does not operate any of the properties in question, Kilkee Fianna Fáil representative Cillian Murphy believes the company should be taken to task for faililng to put safeguards in place to prevent this type of situation arising.
While he also insists every business should be required to contribute to the local community in the same way.
In a statement to Clare FM, AirBnB have said they take these reports seriously and will investigate.
They say their website includes clear warnings about government restrictions and insist the vast majority of hosts follow the rules.
