Short‑term letting hosts warn new registration rules are “as clear as mud”

Property owners who rent out homes on platforms such as Airbnb have voiced frustration over the lack of clarity surrounding upcoming short‑term letting legislation in Ireland.

On Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live, hosts including Lorna Cahill, who operates a granny flat in Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, said they are unsure whether the new rules will apply to their properties. Cahill highlighted that councils may no longer be able to grant planning permission in areas with populations over 20,000, but she does not fall within that threshold.

Cahill criticised the speed of the legislation, noting there has been no pre‑legislation scrutiny committee report and that basic details such as registration costs remain unknown. She warned that the registration deadline of 1 December gives hosts only three weeks to comply, a period that coincides with staff holidays.

Another host, Derek Keogh from Co Meath, said his three garden structures – an onion shed, a 1930s dwelling and a wood store – are now being classified as “commercial properties”, threatening the viability of his family‑run short‑term lets.

The director of Unique Irish Homes, Megan Campbell, echoed the sentiment, saying the company’s portfolio of 70‑80 privately owned heritage homes also lacks guidance on the new requirements.

Hosts argue that their rentals support local economies, and they are calling for a longer registration period and clearer legislation before the December 1 deadline.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: 3B / Pexels.