A North Clare Councillor is warning of potential ‘unintended consequences’ in regulating short term lets.
It comes as politicians have been debating legislation which would see the establishment of a short-term tourist letting register.
The Oireachtas Tourism Committee has been discussing a bill which, if enacted, would see a 21-night limit for renting out short term tourist lets.
Tenant advocacy groups such as Threshold say they feel the proposed changes to the short-term rental market should be applied to platforms like Air BnB and Expedia.
Clare County Council’s housing list has more than 500 households on it whose first preference is to access accommodation in either the North or the West of the county.
However, the platforms themselves have raised concerns with the Committee about whether it would comply with EU law.
Lahinch-based Green Party Councillor Liam Grant though is hopeful the legislation will work as intended.
However, a Lisdoonvarna Councillor says a more cautious approach to such new legislation is needed, suggesting what’s currently on the table may have a ‘minimal impact’.
Fears have been expressed about a lack of private rental accommodation in Clare’s coastal areas as the Government looks set to allow the winter eviction ban to lapse at the end of this month.
Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy says while bringing certain houses back into long term use is needed, further detail on the possible consequences of the legislation on the table is required.
Listen back to the full interview here:
