Dublin City Council Targets 300 Unauthorised Short-Stay Rentals

Dublin City Council (DCC) has taken significant action against property owners by issuing approximately 300 statutory warning letters this year. These warnings target individuals allegedly engaging in the unauthorized short-term rental of their properties, particularly on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. This initiative marks the beginning of a broader enforcement process aimed at regulating short-term rentals across the city.

The council’s efforts come in response to concerns over housing availability. A spokesperson for DCC stated, “To date, since the initiation of the short-term letting legislation in July 2019, a successful resolution has been achieved in respect of 1,996 cases. These cases have been resolved and closed following the commencement of and compliance with enforcement requirements.”

Dublin’s City Development Plan maintains a policy that generally opposes the provision of dedicated short-term tourist rental accommodations. This stance is rooted in the belief that such rentals adversely impact the availability of housing stock for residents. Property owners who wish to regularize unauthorized rentals must navigate a challenging landscape, often facing difficulties in securing planning permissions.

One notable case involves Olympia Real Estate Limited, which operates the Dublin Castle Suites. The company received a warning letter in March, and earlier this month, DCC rejected its application to continue short-term rental use for its 10 apartments located on Parliament Street and Dame Street. Another operator, Bébinn Limited, trading as Shortstays, currently has a planning application under review concerning a short-term letting accommodation with six en suite bedrooms on Benburb Street in Dublin 7.

In light of the council’s enforcement actions, a spokeswoman for Fáilte Ireland emphasized the importance of short-term letting (STL) accommodations within the broader spectrum of tourist offerings. She noted, “STL accommodation is an important part of the overall tourist accommodation mix, helping to ensure we have offerings that cater to the different needs of visitors.”

However, she also stressed the necessity for a balanced approach to housing in local communities, stating, “For communities to thrive, there must be a balanced mix of long-term private rental and short-term letting accommodation for tourists.” Fáilte Ireland has been designated with the responsibility of establishing and maintaining a statutory register of short-term letting accommodations throughout the State.

The spokeswoman added, “Planning, including enforcement decisions on planning applications, is a matter for local authorities.” She highlighted that the establishment of the register, along with the implementation of the EU STR Regulation, will equip Fáilte Ireland with data on STL properties. This information will be shared with local authorities to support their enforcement of planning requirements for short-term rentals.

As Dublin City Council continues to address unauthorized short-term rentals, the implications for both property owners and the local housing market remain significant. The council’s efforts reflect a growing trend among urban jurisdictions worldwide to regulate short-term rental markets in a bid to protect housing availability for residents.