Stayz Owners United

09/08/2022

For all those STRA operators in NSW. Please find attached some important updates on the NSW regulations, in particular, your obligations under the 'Code of Conduct'.

https://mailchi.mp/astra/regulations-update-2022-15038081

30/12/2021

Finally Free and Independent in 2022

Those of you who follow this page will know, since the sale of Stayz from Fairfax to Expedia in 2016 I have advocated, supported and promoted the BookDirect principles to encourage and assist owners to become more independent with less reliance on the multi-national booking platforms to allow us to better manage our payments and cash flow, our cancellation policies and our communication with guests.

Now with 2022 on our doorstep, I will finally become completely free and independent. NO Booking.con, NO Airbnb and now NO Stayz. I have recently hosted my last Stayz guests and suspended my listing. The bookings for my Cottage are now full until April, with strong bookings through all 2022. All direct. It hasn't happened overnight, but it has happened. A gradual process of less and less reliance on the big OTA's

So, from my family to yours, I hope you all have a Happy New Year. I truly hope 2022 brings us all more stability across the entire travel sector. Take care and stay safe.

23/12/2021

MERRY CHRISTMAS

After yet another difficult year for so many of us in the STRA industry, I truly hope you are all able to spend some quality time with family and friends and enjoy the holiday period. May 2022 bring us all more stability and prosperity. Most of all, I hope you and your family stay safe and well.

Cheers SOU

08/12/2021

PROPOSED WESTERN AUSTRALIA REGULATIONS WILL DESTROY THE STRA INDUSTRY WITH A PROPOSED 60-NIGHT CAP PER YEAR

You really have to ask? what in the hell is the WA Government thinking, seriously.

How could any property, in any environment, in any sector, survive with 60-night caps per year. It’s abundantly clear that this is a ban on Short Term Rentals by stealth that's been driven by the Hotel lobby.

Even though the legislation is in draft form, even the mere suggestion of a 60-night cap is ludicrous and shows a complete lack of knowledge of the benefits the STRA industry has on the local economy.

The Hotel Industry has always advocated for a level playing field with STRA regulations. I wonder how guest houses, B&B’s, hotels would feel being restricted by any nightly caps?

WHAT IS TO BE GAINED FROM NIGHTLY CAPS ?

One needs to ask the question, what is the government trying to achieve with nightly caps ? Does it address the affordable housing crisis ? does it address anti-social behaviour. ?? Are EMPTY houses going to achieve this ?

The most likely outcome and impact of any nightly caps are that properties will sit empty for lengthy periods. EMPTY Short Term Rentals will;

1. Force up accommodation prices
2. Significantly reduce the tourism spend in regional communities.
3. Not address housing affordability
4. Not address anti-social behaviour and;
5. Increase unemployment

Statewide regulations should rightly address, registration, minimum standards and compliance, fire and safety standards and insurance.

If you are going to the expense of implementing a regulatory framework, why restrict this by capping nights to allow properties to sit empty. What does this achieve?

The mere suggestion of a 60-night cap by the WA Government shows their complete arrogance to fair and sustainable regulations or as the Hotel lobby puts it, a level playing field.

This will not only have a significant effect on local Service Stations, Restaurants and Retail-Outlets but will completely destroy those employed by the STRA industry. The multiplier effect will flow onto trades, suppliers and more.

With regional communities devastated by COVID in the last 2 years, these regional areas will be destroyed by this regulatory approach.

It's clear the WA Government have folded to pressure of the Hotel lobby.

WA Government

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-07/wa-airbnb-short-stay-accommodation-draft-plan-strictest/100678188

People who let out holiday homes in WA might have to join a statewide register and limit rental nights under draft rules that booking sites say are the strictest in the nation.

08/10/2021

Details of the Travel Rules for NSW Roapmap from Monday 11th October 2021.

From Monday 11 October, fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions can leave their LGA.

🚘 If you live in Greater Sydney, you can travel and take a holiday anywhere in the Greater Sydney area, including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Central Coast and Shellharbour. You can’t enter rural or regional NSW.

🏕️ Residents in regional NSW LGAs can travel within rural and regional NSW but can’t enter Greater Sydney.

❌ Unvaccinated people can only holiday within their LGA.

The Monday after 80% double dose, fully vaccinated people and those with medical exemptions will be able to travel and holiday anywhere in NSW. Unvaccinated people can still only holiday within their LGA.

You must carry proof of vaccination or a medical exemption (a COVID-19 vaccine medical contraindication form) with you.

More 👉 https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/easing-covid-19-restrictions/70-percent

27/09/2021

UPDATE: On NSW Regulations starting 1 November 2021

Fire Safety Standards Grace Period

Due to COVID-19 stay at home orders, some hosts have been unable to travel to their properties or secure tradespeople to ensure they are compliant with the fire safety standards. As a temporary measure in response, NSW Government will allow a ‘grace period’ until 1 March 2022.

You MUST still register your property BEFORE 1 November 2021 to take bookings for summer but this means you have an extra four months to ensure your property complies with the fire safety standards.

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/STRA?fbclid=IwAR3GlxYIYdDgD0z5DiWtiTrrvAVu3UiCwv_n_ASDKJodD15ruOuj_jOytUA

The STRA register is now available for hosts to register their STRA property. Click the button below to be taken to the Government register. You will need to create a NSW Planning Portal account or log-in with your Service NSW account.

03/09/2021

My thoughts are very much with all of our STRA owners and friends doing it tough at the moment. Despite the continual restrictions and lockdowns that are affecting our STR businesses, I do sincerely hope you and your family have been safe and well at this time.

For those in NSW, most likely you have been recently contacted by Airbnb and Stayz to ensure your property is registered for the introduction of new NSW Regulations starting 1 November 2021. From this date, online booking platforms will no longer list your property without a valid registration number.

Are you ready for these changes ?

The attached link to the NSW Governments STRA Regulations planning page will assist you.

Some things you’ll need to do;

- Register your property on the NSW Fair Trading STRA Register.

- Ensure you have adequate and specific STRA insurance

- Ensure your property complies with STRA Fire and Safety standards specific to your building type including
- Evacuation Diagrams
- Hardwired or 10 Year Lithium battery smoke alarms.
- Provide an Information Booklet or Advice Sheet on emergency procedures and a list of emergency contact numbers and local facilities.

- Provide your neighbours with details of your after-hours contact details under the 'Code of Conduct'

- Provide advice and a copy of the new NSW ‘Code of Conduct’ to guests and be aware of your Host obligations under this code.

The best advice is on the NSW Planning website. Don’t be afraid to ask questions here, I am not an expert but there are a number of people following this page with a vast knowledge of the new NSW regulations and host obligations that I am sure will be more than happy to assist you where possible.

Further details can also be found at NSW Planning site
https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/Policy-and-Legislation/Under-review-and-new-Policy-and-Legislation/Short-term-rental-accommodation

Take care everyone

Short-term rental accommodation relates to the renting of the whole or part of a private home by its owner to a visitor on a commercial basis.