Action On AirBnB Crisis Must Be Fast-Tracked

The Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy will finally take action on short-term lets like AirBnB, according to a report in yesterday's Sunday Times. But this action must now be "fast-tracked", says Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys, who has been calling for action to regulate AirBnB for the last two years.

Welcoming the belated move by the Minister for Housing to regulate the AirBnB sector, Senator Kevin Humphreys said: "Areas like my own have borne the brunt of the failure of Minister Eoghan Murphy and the Fine Gael government to act on this growing problem.

"I am glad he is finally taking action and would remind him that I have been raising this problem for two years now, and have introduced legislation in the Seanad to regulate the sector that can be progressed quickly if he agrees."

"The Taoiseach has repeatedly said in the last few days that there are no "quick fix" solutions in the housing cirisis but moving urgently to regulate Airbnb type short term lets would free up thousands of units for long term leases.

Short term lets are having an impact on the housing crisis in Dublin. pic.twitter.com/563lO7hGC2

— Kevin Humphreys (@KHumphreysDBS) September 6, 2018

Estimates have shown that there are upwards of 3,000 homes being used for full time, short term lets in Dublin alone, properties that could provide homes for thousands of people.

"No one has a problem with someone letting out a room for a few weeks, or indeed their home if they are abroad for a period of time. The crisis is with the full time businesses now making serious profits servicing the tourist industry while thousands of people cannot secure affordable homes," said Senator Kevin Humphreys

After 2 years of campaigning, nearly there on short-term lets .Now we need to fast track legislation. pic.twitter.com/8EtogTjl7l

— Kevin Humphreys (@KHumphreysDBS) September 9, 2018

"Minister Eoghan Murphy will know well the impact this is having in his own constituency. I have been inundated with complaints from residents who find their streets have been turned into hotels. The Minister has stood idly by for the last 15 months when he could have made a difference.

"I am glad he is taking action now if the reports are true, but it must be fast tracked in the new Dáil term. We can't afford further delays."

Action on AirBnB type short term lets must be fast-tracked in the new Dáil term says @KHumphreysDBS reminding the Minister for Housing that he called on him to regulate the sector when he was first appointed last June. https://t.co/a4IfjzZh4z

— The Labour Party (@labour) September 9, 2018