SQM Research vacancy rate data released today clearly shows reform of short-stay accommodation is well overdue.
The number of vacant residential properties in Hobart nearly doubled from 0.8% in March, to 1.4% of total available stock in April this year.
Rental listings increased an incredible 41% in March . This can be sheeted home to short-stay accommodation properties coming back into the market due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
This influx shows what policy-makers have known for some time - the housing crisis was significantly exacerbated by the failure to regulate short stay accommodation.
As we map the road to recovery from COVID-19, leaders must consider ways Tasmania can be made better and fairer. We cannot walk ourselves back into a housing market that was pushing people into homelessness.
We urge the Premier to seize this opportunity to ensure everyone has access to an affordable, secure place to call home well into the future. Now is Tasmania’s chance for a fresh start - to put in place meaningful regulations for short-stay accommodation.
