Penang to study Airbnb woes before legalising them
How other cities worldwide tackle their Airbnb problems are being studied to see if the home-sharing business could be legalised or regulated in Penang.
The office of the Penang State Exco for Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (Petach) is studying their policies to tackle the issue of residential home owners who rent out their units as if they were running a hotel or serviced apartment.
Its exco member Yeoh Soon Hin (pic) said the global home-sharing business was quite established in Penang now that when people buy a house or condominium unit, someone might approach them and offer to guide them to sign up with Airbnb and make money from their new property.
He told the assembly that Penang Global Tourism had met with Airbnb’s management team to discuss how to regulate the business.
“Airbnb told us that they are ready to cooperate and register Airbnb units in Penang with the local authority, but we have no laws or policies for this yet,” he said.
Yeoh said in San Francisco, Airbnb operators are limited to renting their homes to a maximum of 90 days a year.
“In Catalonia, Spain, Airbnb operators can be fined up to 30,000 Euros (RM140,000) and the unit owners fined up to 90,000 Euros (RM420,000) if there are complaints.
“In Singapore, the Urban Redevelopment Authority is proposing to limit Airbnb units to only allow up to six people each time to rent them and for only up to 90 days a year.
“For strata units, Singapore plans to allow it only if at least 80% of all unit owners in the building give consent.
“Japan enacted a law to allow home-sharing of units for only up to 180 days a year,” he said when replying a question from Daniel Gooi Zi Sen (PH-Pengkalan Kota).
Gooi said he was concerned because despite strong enforcement from Penang Island City Council since 2017 to stop residential property owners from using their units commercially, the Airbnb portal lists thousands of units in Penang.
“We cannot deny property owners from benefitting from their assets, but we also cannot let them continue to operate without paying their dues such as commercial assessment rates or the hotel fee,” he said.
Yeoh said Petach was studying how Airbnb operators are regulated while waiting for the federal government to draft laws on home-sharing.
“We raised the issue and were told that the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry are studying possible laws on this.”
Yeoh said the business was unfair to neighbours, the hotel industry and local authorities.
“They are paying assessments and utility rates for residential units but are using those units commercially while legal hotels that comply with all laws such as safety and traffic provisions pay much more.
“The peace and privacy of their neighbours are being intruded upon,” Yeoh said.
He said his team in Petach was also considering the possibility of recommending that Airbnb operators be charged double or triple the current residential assessment rates that they are paying now after they are legalised.
Source: TheStar.com.my
Airbnb should only confine to a certain location and not allowed in high-rise and densely condo(M) !
No, house owners at my flat have been operating as illegal airbnb for years. These house owners do not care about other residents nor legally registered. I doubt they even pay taxes for the rental earned. Residents ended up with dirty compound including throwing of rubbish from windows, vandalised lifts, crowded lifts where residents need to wait for next round during rush hour. Also, these guests arrived and some times banging at wrong doors at ungodly hour.
The sharing concept is good, but not all the houses are suitable to do homestay. Home stay will bring many issues to the residents, too many strangers come in can out create the securities concern, misuse of facilities etc. All the residential title condo/apartment enjoyed lower prices of electricity/water rate/assessment rate/lower tax for long term rental etc, why, because “house” means the basic shelter for human, a place called home and not the place doing business.
The investors cannot take the advantages of the incentives given and doing illegal business activities, without paying tax, without consider the neighbours concerned. Nowadays the morality of many people reduced, but only greedy, materialistic, this is humankind’ future.
ban the AirBnb unless those are commercial rate/assessment fee or the building are used to be Airbnb investment.. because of this, property pricing is hike and people keep planning to earn from here..
Airbnb should not be allowed on strata housing. We pay maintenance fees to maintain and safeguard our condo but these short term renters bring in strangers which compromise the safety of other residences.
when the things come to business, the original concepts of the AirBnB have been distorted,
the main concept of the airbnb is to use the space you “already” have, or the “empty” houses, renting out instead of wasted and keep it empty.
In Malaysia, only landed property can apply to change their strata title to commercial use from residential. Like many kinderganten also operating in terrace houses area, but they have to apply and go through many departments. Ofcuase paying more fees and taxes.
Are you saying those owners who sublet short term stay don’t pay any fees..? Do you mean those hooligans and thieves only booked to stay for a few days and try to rob or break in to their neighbour’s place .?This is very discriminating
You will never know. Property price will definitely drop if too many strangers in and out your condo everyday. Just don’t feel safe. You can rent out your empty rooms in your own house and see what happen.