Analysis undertaken by the Greens reveals applications have been made to make 41 Hobart homes short stay accommodation in the last six months, with 1 in 4 formerly used as rentals. With the rental crisis worsening, the Liberals must take action to stop whole homes being converted into Airbnbs.
Examination of Hobart City Council planning advertisements over the last six months by the Greens reveals applications have been made to make 41 homes short stay accommodation. 11 of the homes – 1 in 4 – were formerly rentals, and 7 applications were made soon after the properties were bought.
CBOS’ recently released short stay accommodation data for the second quarter of 2026 confirms there are a total of 1911 homes being used as short stay accommodation in Hobart, with a 0.74% increase from the last quarter.
Our analysis shows homes which were formerly being used as rentals have been converted into Airbnbs. A number of homes appear to have been bought for the sole purpose of turning them into short stay accommodation.
I constantly hear from members of the community concerned about homes being converted into Airbnbs, and the implications for renters. Homes should be used for that purpose, not as an investment for property developers to get rich off short stay accommodation.
With rental vacancy rates next to none and rents exploding, every home taken off the market for short stay accommodation is making it harder for Hobart renters to find an affordable place to live. Yet the Liberals continue to do nothing.
It’s forcing councils like Hobart City to have to try and find their own ad hoc solutions. But there are thousands of Airbnbs around the state – this requires a statewide solution.
The Liberals need to stop shirking their responsibility to rein in Airbnb. They must put a stop to new whole-home short stays and phase out existing listings in residential areas.
