Richard White, East Ballina
Why do governments give precedence to a minority of investors and speculators, over the majority of residents, homeowners, and tenants, when it comes to Airbnb? Who profits?
Who loses? All those established motels and hotels and caravan parks who pay to be accommodation businesses for one.
Where are the fire and safety costs in an Airbnb? As well as payment of licences, regulatory charges, local government rates, adequate parking, and taxes?
If I buy next to a motel, my purchase price is reflected in the cost, and I know I’m next to an accommodation business with a manager on site to control unruly guests.
The Airbnb company was conceived after its founders rented out an air mattress in their living room, effectively turning their apartment into a bed and breakfast, to offset the high cost of rent in San Francisco. Someone was living there as a regulator who doesn’t want an all-night party every night.
Airbnb is an American home rental platform based in San Francisco that lets people list, find, and rent short-term lodging in 65,000 cities and more than 191 countries across the globe… now valued at $31 billion.
So, Airbnb Inc gets some money for me losing sleep. An absentee owner pays off a mortgage, while I lose sleep. The local council only gets standard land value rates!
We know that for the past six years general wages have stagnated for the worker, while big business and the wealthy keep making money, even during COVID. And now their investments are taking away our community, lifestyle, and sleep – so they can pilfer even more wealth.
When will we see young families being able to access the home market again?
Certainly not until wages grow and wealth distribution become more reasonable. Then, young owner-buyers may get a chance to buy a home for their family.
Stock markets are still growing, so why can’t these property investors move their money into just more shares and give the average taxpayer a chance to have a home and a quiet community.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
