If you want to rent out your property to short-term holiday
makers, as a bed and breakfast for overnighters or rent out a room
to backpackers you just might be heading for a nightmare clash with
your local council.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports some property owners are being
threatened with fines of more than a million dollars for renting
out rooms in their homes without having consulted council.
Some room renters are being ordered by councils to apply to
become official bed and breakfasts. But the B&B application
process could involve having to make expensive upgrades to your
home such as fitting commercial kitchens and extra bathrooms.
It centres on council planning controls. It would be wise to get
legal advice about controls in your particular area before you
embark on renting out rooms to travellers. This is particularly
worthwhile if you are using short-term accommodation websites such
as Airbnb and Stayz.com as councils
are also checking them to see
