Enforcement of rental rules will cost €400k - council

The new regulations will effectively ban landlords from using their properties for Airbnb

Enforcement of new regulations on Airbnb and other short-term letting agencies will cost Dublin City Council around €400,000, according to an initial assessment.

A report to councillors from Assistant Chief Executive Richard Shakespeare said enforcement would be "resource intensive".

"The enforcement of short-term lettings regulations is logistically very difficult. There are problems establishing ownership, gaining access to apartments or houses and most importantly a requirement to prove illegal occupation.

"Hearsay evidence regarding proof of use will also be a problem as the short-term guests in situ at the time of inspections will be gone and will not be in a position to give evidence on our behalf."

Mr Shakespeare said it is estimated that there were more than 5,000 separate properties listed on short-term platforms last year and enforcement officers will have to operate in pairs because of the level of proof required.

He said the production of internet listings of properties will not be enough for a prosecution in court and that the local authority will have to provide first-hand evidence in each case.

The Department of Housing has promised to fund the extra resources needed and Mr Shakespeare said his initial estimate is that it would cost €400,000.

The new regulations are due to come into force next June and will effectively ban landlords from using their properties for Airbnb in high-demand areas like Dublin.

Homeowners will be allowed let out rooms but will have to register. The will be allowed to let out their entire home for a maximum of 90 days a year.

However any second property will need planning permission and this will not be granted in high-demand areas.